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Philip Hammond 'keen to forge new links' with Cuba Philip Hammond 'keen to forge new links' with Cuba
(35 minutes later)
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said he is keen to "forge new links across the Atlantic" as he arrived in Cuba for a visit.Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said he is keen to "forge new links across the Atlantic" as he arrived in Cuba for a visit.
Mr Hammond is the first UK foreign secretary to travel to the Caribbean country in an official capacity since its communist revolution in 1959.Mr Hammond is the first UK foreign secretary to travel to the Caribbean country in an official capacity since its communist revolution in 1959.
He said there would be new "co-operation agreements" on energy, finance, education and culture.He said there would be new "co-operation agreements" on energy, finance, education and culture.
Mr Hammond's two-day visit follows one by US President Barack Obama in March.Mr Hammond's two-day visit follows one by US President Barack Obama in March.
As with all visiting dignitaries, his first stop was to Revolution Square in Havana to lay a wreath to the island's independence hero Jose Marti.As with all visiting dignitaries, his first stop was to Revolution Square in Havana to lay a wreath to the island's independence hero Jose Marti.
He then held talks with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.He then held talks with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.
The foreign secretary is taking part in a series of meetings to discuss social and economic changes, human rights and the fight against global health threats such as the Zika virus.The foreign secretary is taking part in a series of meetings to discuss social and economic changes, human rights and the fight against global health threats such as the Zika virus.
'New links''New links'
He will also sign a bilateral agreement restructuring Cuba's debt to the UK.He will also sign a bilateral agreement restructuring Cuba's debt to the UK.
"Britain and Cuba have outlooks on the world and systems of government that are very different," Mr Hammond said as he arrived in the capital Havana."Britain and Cuba have outlooks on the world and systems of government that are very different," Mr Hammond said as he arrived in the capital Havana.
"But as Cuba enters a period of significant social and economic change, I am looking forward to demonstrating to the Cuban government and people that the UK is keen to forge new links across the Atlantic.""But as Cuba enters a period of significant social and economic change, I am looking forward to demonstrating to the Cuban government and people that the UK is keen to forge new links across the Atlantic."
The British embassy in Havana has held arts and music events in Cuba in recent years.The British embassy in Havana has held arts and music events in Cuba in recent years.
But the BBC's Mexico and Central America correspondent Will Grant says increased trade is the main focus of the visit, with UK businesses looking to build links with Cuba's tourism, agriculture and financial services industries.But the BBC's Mexico and Central America correspondent Will Grant says increased trade is the main focus of the visit, with UK businesses looking to build links with Cuba's tourism, agriculture and financial services industries.
Last year, British exports to Cuba rose by 25%. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the top items exported to the country include dairy produce, boilers, machinery, paper products, pharmaceutical products, drinks and vinegar. Cuba's largest trading partners are Venezuela and China. European Commission data shows Spain is the largest exporter to Cuba from the EU, with trade totalling nearly £750m last year. UK exports reached £25m in 2015.
According to UK Trade and Investment, the top items exported to Cuba from Britain include dairy produce, boilers, machinery, paper products, pharmaceutical products, drinks and vinegar.
It says UK remains under-represented in the market compared with other EU nations although "significant trade" of UK products goes through third countries.
Last month Mr Obama became the first US president since 1928 to visit Cuba.Last month Mr Obama became the first US president since 1928 to visit Cuba.
For years, the US and Cuba were engaged in a bitter stand-off, triggered by the overthrow of US-backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista by Communist leader Fidel Castro in 1959.For years, the US and Cuba were engaged in a bitter stand-off, triggered by the overthrow of US-backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista by Communist leader Fidel Castro in 1959.
The US broke off diplomatic relations and imposed a trade embargo.The US broke off diplomatic relations and imposed a trade embargo.