(VOVworld) – Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with Cuban President Raul Castro and Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban Revolution, in Havana Saturday to discuss bilateral relations and other issues. Speaking to reporters after a 45-minute meeting, Kishida expressed his consensus with Fidel Castro on the need to abolish nuclear weapons.

Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida meets with Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana (Photo: japantimes)

In a meeting with Kishida the same day, President Raul Castro said Cuba wants to strengthen its economic cooperation with Japan. Kishida said Japan backs efforts to normalize Cuba-US relations. President Castro said he is ready to discuss any problem with the US, including human rights.

In a discussion with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, Kishida vowed to boost Japan’s official development assistance to Cuba, who hopes to increase cooperation in trade, investment, and technology. The two ministers agreed to bilateral talks on UN reforms, Japan hopes to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.