Havana, Jun 27 (Prensa Latina) Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, begins today his first official visit to Cuba during which he will meet with President Raul Castro for the purpose of strengthening bilateral ties.

According to his three days agenda, the president of the Middle East country will meet with Raúl Castro on Monday after placing a wreath at the Cuban National Hero Jose Marti Monument at Havana's Revolution Square.

Damascus and Havana established diplomatic relations in August 1965 and currently maintain fluid trade links and cooperation on education and culture.

Cuba has graduated over 200 youths from that nation and currently 25 of them study here, eight of which are in health.

Al Assad is accompanied by Walid Al Moualem, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mansour Azzam, Minister of Presidential Affairs, in addition to Bouthaina Shaaban, Policy and Media Advisor of the Presidency.

Syria, with a population of 21 million inhabitants, is an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), as well as the Caribbean island.