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HAVANA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Mexican Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu on Monday praised the renewal of the Mexican-Cuban relationship, which once saw the recall of ambassadors.
"Our relationship has been renewed to enhance the closeness in various fields, not just in trade but also in cooperation and cultural exchanges," Ruiz Massieu, who is on her first visit to Cuba, said in a meeting here with her Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez.
Historically, Mexico was a staunch supporter of Cuba. However, bilateral ties chilled in 2000 when pro-business President Vicente Fox took office. From May to July in 2004, the two nations had a diplomatic crisis, in which they recalled their ambassadors.
In 2012, Felipe Calderon paid a visit to Cuba, the first by a Mexican president since 2002.
Rodriguez highlighted the "promising presence" of Mexican investors in Cuba's Port of Mariel, a special development and economic zone featuring a deep-water port and an industrial park that is taking shape.
In September, the two foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to discuss Cuban President Raul Castro's upcoming state visit to Mexico.
