Turkey, Cuba agree to work on biotech, renewable energy

Leaders of Turkey and Cuba met here Friday and agreed to increase cooperation between the two countries, vowing to work jointly on biotechnology, tourism and renewable energy.

Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay and Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel also agreed to hold Turkey-Cuba Joint Economic Commission meeting in 2019 during Canel's visit to Turkey on the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan's first presidential visit to Cuba was in 2015.

Both leaders were in Caracas for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's swearing-in for the second term held Thursday.

According to Turkish Foreign Ministry, both countries cooperate in regional and international platforms.

"Turkey, every year, votes in favor of the resolution entitled 'Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba' in the UN," the ministry said on its website.

"Turkey also supports the ongoing normalization process between Cuba and the USA," according to the Turkish ministry.

Meanwhile, Oktay also received Palestine's Foreign Minister Riad Malki.

The Turkish vice president pointed out his country always advocated the just cause of Palestine and stands by its people.