Uruguay's president Tabare Vazquez (R) and Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez embraced after signing and exchanging notes on re-establishing the relations. (Xinhua Photo)

    MONTEVIDEO, March 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The new socialist government of Uruguay announced Tuesday to restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba, three years after they were downgraded by then president Jorge Batlle.

    Only three hours after taking office as Uruguay's president, Tabare Vazquez presided over the ceremony for the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two Latin American countries.

    "We received with pleasure the representatives of the sister nation of Cuba, and wished that relations between both countries had never been severed," said Vazquez.

    Then, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Reinaldo Gargano and his Cuban counterpart Felipe Perez signed and exchanged notes on re-establishing the relations.

    "It is very good that the nations of Latin America are united,"said Vazquez, the first socialist president of Uruguay.

    "The tokens of friendship and solidarity of Uruguay toward Cubaare permanent," Perez said after signing the documents.

    Castro had planned to attend the ceremony of presidential inauguration, but canceled his trip in the last minute on doctor'sadvice.

    Outgoing Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle of the Colorado Party downgraded ties with Cuba in 2002 after a war of words with Cuban leader Fidel Castro following Uruguay's decision to condemn Cuba'shuman rights record in an annual UN vote in Geneva.

    The two countries have since maintained consular relations.

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