TEHRAN – At a meeting with Iran’s Minister of International Affairs and Health Alileza Biggrali, Tehran’s Cuba Ambassador Jorge Fernando Nicholas discussed how to follow up on joint projects, particularly biotechnology and vaccine production projects.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Iranian Exposition 2025, the seventh exhibition of the 7th export capacity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which will be held from April 28th to May 2nd at Tehran’s International Permanent Fairgrounds.
The Cuban authorities’ delegation led by the ambassador also met representatives from the Pasteur Institute, the Food and Drug Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Trade Promotion Agency in Iran.
Referring to his successful experiences in collaboration between Iran and Cuba in the Hepatitis B and Covid-19 vaccine project, Biglari called these relationships a successful model of international scientific interactions.
The seventh edition of the Iran Expo, the country’s largest and most important export event aimed at strengthening ties with international markets, attracts representatives from over 100 countries.
Over 2,000 companies and representatives from around the world are taking part in the event, accustomed to Iran’s industrial strengths and are keen to negotiate and interact with some of the leading brands in various sectors.
Cuba is one of the Latin American countries, and the country that has the highest level of cooperation with Iran in a variety of areas, including the health sector, which is a health department official, said in January.
“Thanks to Cuba’s advanced technology, both countries benefit from joint partnerships in the health sector, including the development of hepatitis and the Pastocovac vaccine,” the IRNA quotes Jafarian as saying.
During the meeting, former Deputy International Health Minister Mohammad Hossein Niknam emphasized that following the agreement last decade, it will become more important, particularly in the economic and political sectors.
“So far, in addition to the main documents, seven documents related to the organization have been confirmed, four more have been reviewed. A list of joint projects for the health sector has also been created.”
During the meeting, representatives of stakeholder organizations and agencies presented opinions and considerations on their documents.
Participants also highlighted the need to follow up on the private sector’s agreements concluded at the 2024 Havana International Exhibition.
Exchange of business delegations, developing financial models to meet the needs of the Cuban market, and opening credit lines for private sector activities were among other issues highlighted.
Strategic relationships
In December 2024, Jafarian pointed to Cuba’s position as a political partner in the South American region, saying that Iran and Cuba’s cooperation is considered a strategic relationship.
In October 2024, Cuban ambassador to Niknam and Tehran, Alexis Bandorich Vega, discussed ways to promote cooperation between the two countries.
Authorities attended the coordination meeting to discuss the issues of the upcoming Joint Economic Committee Meeting of Iran and Cuba.
Referring to friendly relations, Vega said the main goal of the conference was to increase solidarity between the two countries, the IRNA reported.
“The two countries are trying to establish peace not only between Iran and Cuba, but between all countries in the world,” Cuban officials emphasized.
Sadly, sanctions imposed barriers and restrictive measures, making life more difficult for targeted nations, he added.
Meetings of joint committees will bring positive results to both countries. Cuba is a safe market for Iran. It could also be a trusted friend who will provide potential long-term benefits for the country.
Niknam said the friendship between Iran and Cuba is exemplary. There has always been a positive interaction between the two countries, but the current relationship can be expanded.
Officials also mentioned a joint project to develop a vaccine during the community pandemic.
He expressed optimism that the Joint Commission will help develop relations between Iran and Cuba.