Solomon Islands' Foreign Affairs Minister has called for a long-standing embargo on Cuba to be lifted.
Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Jeremiah Manele. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koro Vaka'uta
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Jeremiah Manele called for progressive action from the United States in relation to Cuba.
He said Solomon Islands was grateful to Cuba for training its medical students.
Mr Manele said more than 80 Solomons doctors had graduated from Cuban medical schools.
He told the UN it was time to restore peace.
"We note the 59-year-old embargo imposed on Cuba remains in place. Solomon Islands calls for the lifting of the embargo placed on Cuba.
"We encourage the restoration of good relations between Cuba and the United States, in the name of peace and within the spirit and purposes of the United Nations Charter."
Meanwhile, Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama arrived in Cuba yesterday for his first official state visit.
Mr Bainimarama is visiting Cuba on his way home to Fiji from the United Nations in New York.
He has visited the Cohiba Cigar Factory and laid a wreath at the Jose Marti Memorial in Havana, honouring the writer and revolutionary, considered a national hero by Cubans.
The memorial completed in 1958 is thought to be the largest monument to a writer in the world.
Mr Bainimarama has also had a 'talanoa' meeting with Fijian medical students studying in Havana.
