“I am ready to cooperate with you if you have such an interest,” the Cuban minister said and spoke about the development of tourism in Cuba.

Teimuraz Khishba thanked his Cuban counterpart for his interest in Abkhazia.

“We have loved Cuba since the days of the Soviet Union. When Fidel Castor first visited the USSR, he was brought to Abkhazia as well. Fidel was treated with great respect in our country, he was a hero for us! There are families in Abkhazia who still remember how Fidel Castro was staying with them. There are many photographs where he drinks wine from the Abkhazian horn, eats Abkhaz food, ” Minister of Tourism of Abkhazia said.

Teimuraz Khishba told his Cuban colleague about Abkhazia, how the small republic defended its independence in 1992-1993.

“We were recognized as an independent state by the Russian Federation in 2008. Russia was supported by your neighbors - Nicaragua and Venezuela, with whom we have established diplomatic relations. We hope that the the Cuban Republic will also recognize the independence of the Republic of Abkhazia soon,” he said.

Teimuraz Khishba told his Cuban colleague about the development of tourism in Abkhazia, noting that this year the republic with a population of 245 thousand people is preparing to receive up to 1.5 million guests.

“We have high hopes for this season and that it will qualitatively change the entire tourism industry of Abkhazia and attract a large number of new investments,” Teimuraz Khishba stressed.