英外交大臣近60年来首次访问古巴

Britain’s foreign secretary met with Cuban officials Thursday to discuss trade and tourism ties with the communist country, marking the first visit of its kind since 1959.

Upon landing in Cuba late Thursday, Philip Hammond said Britain is ready to strengthen its ties with the small island nation, and signed several cooperation agreements on energy, education and financial services.

Last year, according to the British Department of Trade and Industry, exports to Cuba rose by 25 percent. Also last year, according to Hammond, Britain was the second largest country of origin for tourists to Cuba, trailing only Canada, with 160,000 Britons making the trip.

Hammond is scheduled to participate in several “high-level meetings” while in Cuba to discuss social and economic changes, human rights and the fight against global health threats such as the Zika virus.

Hammond’s visit to Cuba follows a March visit by U.S. President Barack Obama – the first president to visit Cuba since 1928.

哈蒙德星期四晚上抵达古巴后表示，英国愿与古巴增进关系，并签署了几项能源、教育和金融服务领域的合作协议。

英国贸易工业部的数字显示，英国去年对古巴的出口额增加了25%。哈蒙德表示，去年有16万英国人前往古巴旅游，人数之多仅次于加拿大。

按照预定日程，哈蒙德访问古巴期间将进行几次“高层会晤”，讨论社会及经济改革、人权以及应对寨卡病毒等全球健康威胁等问题。

今年3月，美国总统奥巴马访问了古巴，这是1928年以来美国总统对古巴的首次访问。