Havana, April 4 (ACN) Ghana's Foreign Minister Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed interest in strengthening economic relations with Cuba while meeting with his Cuban counterpart Felipe Perez Roque in Havana on Monday.

After describing as excellent the bilateral political ties, the distinguished visitor said that the time has come to increase the economic relations between both sides.

The countries established diplomatic relations on December 23rd, 1959. He pointed out that in addition there is interest not only discussing official ties but also international affairs.

The diplomat added that President John Agyekum Kufuor, will accept Cuban President Fidel Castro's invitation to attend the Summit of Non Aligned Nations in Havana next September.

Felipe Perez Roque added that the visit of Ghana's President will push ahead the long standing mutual ties and outlined the importance of the 13th Cuba-Ghana Joint Inter-Governmental Commission underway in Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation.

The talks were held at the Foreign Ministry and in addition to Ghana's Foreign Minister other officials who participated in the meeting were Minister for Tourism Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Health Minister and retired Mayor Courage Quashigah. Previously, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addoe met with Government Minister Ricardo Cabrisas who confirmed the island's commitment to reactivate the ties in the economic and commercial sectors.

The African diplomat placed a floral wreath before the Jose Marti Monument located in Revolution Plaza on Monday and also at the tomb of the Cuban internationalist soldiers who died in Africa and that of those who died in defence of the homeland at Colon Cemetery.

Ghana, a former British colony, was the first Sub-Saharan African nation to get its independence on March 6th, 1957. Under the PNDC agreements Ghana established strong tries with Cuba, especially in the fields of education, construction and sports.