During the ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Anayansi Rodriguez highlighted the diplomat’s career and his support to strengthen ties between Havana and Damascus.

Thanks to his mission, important agreements and memorandums of understanding on collaboration in fields such as health care, sports and biotechnology have been signed in the last four years, she said.

The deputy minister noted the solidarity and friendship between both peoples, as well as their mutual support in the defense of national sovereignty and the rejection of external aggression.

Mayya, whose diplomatic mission in Cuba will end in the next few days, thanked Cuba for the gesture, and highlighted the country’s appreciation for him.

The Syrian diplomat said that his presence in Havana meant a great honor for the task of promoting bilateral ties.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel, by virtue of a decree dated on March 29, awarded the Friendship Medal to the Syrian ambassador.

The distinction is granted at the proposal of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), in recognition of a history of solidarity with Cuba and in defense of the Revolution.

Cuba and Syria established diplomatic relations on August 11, 1965.

jg/mem/cgc