The island remains firm, defending its principles and values despite having endured a brutal economic, commercial and financial blockade by the United States for more than 60 years, Abbas said when he received Cuban Ambassador in Syria Miguel Porto.

He added that Syria is facing the onslaught of sanctions amid a terrorist war imposed by the West for more than 11 years.

The Cuban diplomat also denounced the unilateral coercive measures imposed on both Cuba and Syria, which hinder the economic and commercial development and impose an enormous burden on the peoples of both countries.

Porto and Abbas verified the excellent state of the bilateral relations and expressed their willingness to continue strengthening the historic ties of friendship between the two nations, the note stated.

Syria and Cuba established diplomatic relations on August 11, 1965, which have been characterized by the constant mutual support for the causes of the two nations in all international forums.

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