Havana – Timor-Leste's Prime Minister, Rui Maria de Araujo, will pay tribute today to Cuba"s National Hero, Jose Marti, as part of his official visit's agenda to the Caribbean island. Maria de Araujo will later hold talks with President, Raul Castro.

The visitor will tour the "Victoria de Giron" Institute for Basic and Preclinical Science tomorrow, and will visit the University of Sciences of Physical Culture and Sport, in this capital, on October 7. A meeting with Cuban Parliament President Esteban Lazo is also expected, as part of his third visit to Cuba.

Cuba and Timor-Leste established diplomatic relations on May 20, 2002, and both countries currently maintain excellent ties, which are developed at the highest level.

Timor-Leste, with an area of 5,794 square miles (15,007 square kilometers), has voted for the UN resolution against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States to the Caribbean nation.

Cooperation relations were mainly established in areas such as health, education and sports. Since the beginning of the educational cooperation in 2005, Cuba has graduated about 847 students from Timor-Leste, 842 of which in health.

Source: http://www.plenglish.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4220911&Itemid=1