Cuban Ambassador to Zambia Francisco Correa said in Lusaka Tuesday his government is considering cooperation in various areas with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Correa revealed when he presented his Letter of Credence to the COMESA Secretary General Erastus Mwencha that Cuba's cooperation with African countries in COMESA and beyond constitutes a strategic basis for that country's foreign policy.

He stated that Cuba is conscious of the significance of COMESA in Africa and there are various fields such as health, education, biotechnology and agriculture in which Cuba can extend its cooperation.

"Likewise, we have followed with great interest the development and changes experienced in the last years by COMESA," Correa said.

Correa said Cuban people are brotherly bonded with the African people by a common history of fighting for independence, development and against colonialism.

Headquartered in Lusaka, Zambia, COMESA is the largest African economic grouping with a membership of 20 countries. Of them 11 are already operating a Free Trade Area launched in October 2000, while the rest trade on preferential terms. The bloc is currently working on the creation of a customs union.

Source: Xinhua