Cuba calls for a greater African presence on the UN Security Council with "no less than two seats among the permanent members, and with equal rights and attributions as the other members," said Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque during official talks in Havana with Alpha Oumar Konare, chairperson of the Commission of the African Union.

The Foreign minister said Cuba has a priority policy towards Africa and said ties are excellent between Cuba and the 53 countries that make up the African Union.

Perez Roque also highlighted the importance of Konares first official visit to the island "as a new step in relations between Cuba and the African Union" at a time when Cuba chairs the 118-nation Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Konare thanked his host for the historic support provided by Cuba to the African continent in the struggle against Apartheid and colonialism, and currently in areas such as education, healthcare, and agriculture. "Cubas friendship should be part of the future of Africa," he said.

The former president of Mali (1992-2002) paid tribute Friday to Jose Marti at the monument to the Cuban National Hero in the Plaza of the Revolution. He also placed a floral wreath at the pantheon containing the remains of the Cuban combatants who died on African soil.

The African Union was founded in 2002 and replaced the Organization of African Unity. Ever since, its main objective has been the economic and political integration of the continent.

Source: By Miriela Fernández Lozano, Granma