Cuba and Australia Sign Memorandum of Understanding

The document reads that it has the purpose of institutionalizing the political consultations between the two Ministries as well as to expand the cooperation and mutual contacts. It also favors meetings in third countries, working together on several international affairs and in forums.

Stephen Smith heads a delegation on an official visit that arrived in Havana this Sunday following an invitation made by Rodriguez.

The visitor is part of the new Labour government, elected in November 2007 and this is his first visit to Cuba.

Cuba and Australia established their official diplomatic relations on January 31 1989.
In 1994 Gareth Evans, then-FM, visited Havana. No other Australian in that
position had travelled to Cuba until Smith did it this Sunday.