NIGERIA, CUBA REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO DEEPENING BILATERAL RELATIONS, MULTILATERAL COOPERATION

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, on Tuesday received the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Ambassador Miriam Morales Palmero, at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to review the state of Nigeria–Cuba bilateral relations, exchange views on contemporary international and regional developments, and reaffirm their shared commitment to the principles of peace, multilateralism, and respect for international law.

Her Excellency Ambassador Morales Palmero conveyed the appreciation of the Government of the Republic of Cuba to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for its continued support and solidarity.

She noted that Nigeria’s consistent principled stance underscores the cordial and longstanding relationship between both countries, particularly within multilateral fora.

The Cuban Ambassador briefed the Permanent Secretary on recent developments in Latin America and their broader regional implications.

She reiterated Cuba’s commitment to peaceful engagement, social development, free education, universal healthcare, and gender inclusion, while reaffirming her country’s openness to dialogue grounded in mutual respect, sovereign equality, and non-interference in internal affairs.

Ambassador Morales Palmero further informed the Permanent Secretary of ongoing consultations regarding a proposed high-level visit to Nigeria by the Vice President of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Mr. Salvador Valdés Mesa, following the African Union Summit.

She explained that the proposed visit would serve as a follow-up to previous high-level engagements and contribute to the further strengthening of political, economic, and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ahmed warmly welcomed the Cuban Ambassador and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to continue to deepen its longstanding and cordial relations with Cuba.

He emphasised Nigeria’s firm commitment to the promotion of peace and security and to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the principles of international law.

The Permanent Secretary assured the Cuban side of Nigeria’s continued solidarity and its willingness to engage constructively within multilateral frameworks in addressing shared global challenges.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s active engagement in multilateral diplomacy, including within the United Nations system and other international platforms, and underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation among developing countries in advancing global peace, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights.

Both sides concluded the meeting by reaffirming their mutual commitment to further strengthening Nigeria–Cuba relations for the benefit of their peoples and to sustaining cooperation on regional and global issues of common interest.