Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began his first official visit to Cuba Sunday to boost bilateral economic and political ties with the island country, Xinhua reported.
The president is currently on a Latin American tour which also includes stops in Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina to enhance Syria's cooperation with these nations.
During his three-day tour in Cuba, Assad will lay a wreath to the National Hero Jose Marti and meet with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Damascus and Havana established diplomatic relations in August 1965 and have maintained close ties in trade, education and culture. More than 200 Syrian students, mostly majoring in medical science, have finished their studies in Cuba.