Irish foreign minister begins historic visit to Mexico and Cuba

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has begun a historic five day visit to Latin America, becoming the first Irish minister to travel to Cuba in an official capacity.

The Minister is in Mexico City today where he is to meet with the Mexican foreign minister Patricia Espinosa to discuss Irish trade with and investment in Mexico, the development of EU-Mexico relations and the further strengthening of bilateral ties.

Mr Martin will also discuss business opportunities with Mexican business leaders at a meeting hosted by the Embassy and the Irish Chamber of Commerce in Mexico later today. In addition, the Minster is to address the Mexican Council of Foreign Affairs on the economic challenges facing Ireland and the European Union, and will call on members of the Mexican-Irish Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Mexican Congress.

From Mexico the Minister will travel to Cuba on the first working visit by an Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs. He will hold consultations with the foreign minister of Cuba, Felipe Pérez Roque, at which ways to develop bilateral relations between Ireland and Cuba will be addressed.

This week marks a significant week for Cubans, are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power following the ousting of Fulgencio Batista.

On this day in 1959, Fidel Castro was sworn in as leader of the country.

During his time in Cuba, the Minister will also meet with the minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Co-operation to discuss possible sectors for economic cooperation and will also visit the world-renowned Genetic Engineering and Biotech Institute.

"Cuba is undergoing a major transformation, and its relations with the EU have entered a new phase. I wish to avail of this new context to discuss a wide range of political, economic and social issues, including human rights, all of which are included in the agendas for my meetings,” said Minister Martin.