From a dispatch from the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA): In a statement to SANA ahead of President Bashar al-Assad's upcoming visit to Cuba, Chargé d'Affaires at the Cuban Embassy in Damascus Pedro Estevez Pineiro described the visit as "historic," adding that it will help strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Syrflag He added that his country and many other countries are calling for ending the Israeli occupation of the Golan and restoring it to Syrian sovereignty, saying that Syria and Cuba are engaged in the same struggle for independence and sovereignty against occupation and hegemony.

The two countries' viewpoints are in agreement regarding developments in the Middle East and Latin America. Syria voices solidarity with Cuba against pressure and challenges, and Cuba stresses support to Syria's right to restoring the Golan and to the Palestinians' struggle to liberate their lands.