Dutch foreign minister to visit Cuba to boost ties

Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Frans Timmermans will go to Cuba from Sunday to Tuesday in order to"strengthen the ties,"Dutch media reported Friday. According to Timmermans, Cuba has"started a political and economic reform process that deserves our attention." Timmermans believed "the Netherlands could stimulate these positive developments by establishing good contacts." Timmermans' agenda will include a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla and Minister of Foreign Trade Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz. Timmermans will also meet with writers, economists and representatives of the Roman Catholic Church. It would appear the first time in history that a Dutch foreign ministers visits the country. The last official visit to Cuba dates from 1999, when economic minister Gerrit Ybema visited Cuba during a trade mission.