Cuba, DPRK underscore 'excellent' state of ties

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Ri Su-Yong (L) shakes hands with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla (R), at the Foreign Ministry of Cuba in Havana, capital of Cuba, on March 16, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

HAVANA - Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez Monday met here with his counterpart from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the two officials underscored the "excellent" state of bilateral ties.

The visit of Ri Su Yong, represented "another step" in the historic ties of "friendship" and "brotherhood" that bind Havana and Pyongyang, Rodriguez was quoted by Cuban news agency Prensa Latina as saying.

"Cuba supports the efforts of the DPRK towards peaceful reunification in the Korean Peninsula, without foreign intervention or interference," added Rodriguez.

The visit of the DPRK foreign minister came on the same day as Cuba was holding the third round of talks in Havana with the United States to restore diplomatic relations.

Ri said that despite the geographic distance, Cuba remains "one of the closest countries" in the world to the DPRK.

Under the current government of Kim Jong Un, said Ri, the bilateral ties established and promoted by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and Fidel Castro and Raul Castro, remain "unchanged."

In October in Havana, Cuba and the DPRK agreed to strengthen and bolster trade ties.

The DPRK foreign minister is expected to meet with Cuban leader Raul Castro during his visit, given the close ties between the two nations, though his itinerary was not publicized.