The Ambassador of Cuba, Carlos S Salsamendi, yesterday, met with Vice President Isatou Njie-Saidy at State House, in Banjul.

Ambassador Salsamendi was at State House to bid farewell to the vice president after serving in The Gambia for five years. In an interview with reporters shortly after his audience with VP Njie-Saidy, Ambassador Salsamendi said that their discussion also centred on how The Gambia-Cuba relationship can be strengthened.

According to Ambassador Salsamendi, he is sad because he is leaving The Gambia after five years of hospitality, but he was quick to remark that "I am satisfied to see the relationship between the two states growing." According to him, The Gambia and Cuba have cooperated in different areas, ranging from health to agriculture. However, he added that there are still many areas that are expected to be explored, expressing hope that his successor will do more than he has done.

Ambassador Salsamendi then thanked the Government of The Gambia for the hospitality it had accorded him during his stay in the country, saying: "Wherever I am, I will regard The Gambia as a home."