Cuba Invites Indonesian MPR Chairman

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Cuban government has invited the Chairman of the Indonesian Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR), Zulkifli Hasan, to visit the country to meet member of the parliament and the government of the Caribbean state.

Cuban Ambassador to Indonesia, Nirsia Castro Guevara, extended the invitation when he met with the MPR Chairman at the parliament building here on Thursday.

Zulkifli said he will discuss the invitation with the MPR leadership and place the planned visit to Cuba in the agenda of his working plan.

At the meeting, Zulkifli said he was impressed by the leadership of Fidel Castro.

"Despite the U.S. embargo, Cuba has managed to overcome the pressure. Cuba is an extraordinary country, which is able to address pressure," he said.

Cuba has a long history in building friendship with Indonesia, Zulkifli added.

During the era of President Soekarno and Fidel Castro governments, the countries supported each other, he recalled.

Zulkifli further lauded the Cuban government for its successful development of the health sector.

By building more healthcare facilities, the people of Cuba have become healthier and have a life expectancy rate of up to 70 years, he said.

"If I visit Cuba, I will study the countrys health sector," he said. (WDY)