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Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodriguez reiterated in statements to Spain’s La Vanguardia daily his demand that the exit and entry permit be eliminated for persons born in Cuba. Rodriguez, one of the founders of the New Song Movement, described that measure as a “restriction of citizens’ rights.” The artist also expressed his wish that Cuban socialism evolve “toward more participative and democratic forms,” reported IPS.

The US blockade of Cuba hampers the country’s access to direct foreign investment, acquiring state-of-the-art technologies and markets, in addition to persecuting companies from third countries doing business on the island. Cuba is carrying out a diplomatic offensive before the UN General Assembly vote on Wednesday October 29 on a resolution calling for an end to the unilateral hostility from Washington. The Cuban government estimates that the blockade has caused over US $93 billion in losses to the country’s economy.

China is Cuba’s second leading trade partner and the two countries are also committed to expanding cultural exchange. To that end, Chinese Minister of Culture Cai Wu is expected in Havana next month. A photography show including 500 images of daily life in China is also soon to be presented in the Cuban capital.

The 26th International Havana Trade Fair (FIHAV), the largest Cuban trade market, takes place November 3-8. Representatives from 457 companies from 53 countries have already confirmed their presence at the event.

Cuba and the European Union (EU) officially renewed cooperation, according to a joint statement signed Thursday by Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque and European Commissioner Louis Michel. The two parties coincided in the need to continue contacts to carry forward the agreement.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will travel to Cuba on October 30, on an official two-day visit, stated the Brazilian Foreign Ministry. Lula visited the island last January to sign several cooperation agreements.

Cuba and the European Union (EU) will be discussing a framework cooperation agreement during the 3-day visit to Havana by Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, which began on Wednesday. Such an agreement would be the first step to establish a working program that defines concrete projects, five years after cooperation relations were broken off.

Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan is in Cuba for an official visit during which she will meet with her counterpart Carlos Lage and other government and Communist Party leaders.

Vietnam has a long-standing special relationship with Cuba, magnified during the Vietnam War when Fidel Castro visited the Southeast Asian nation. Later, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Vietnam showed its solidarity with Cuba when the Caribbean nation saw its economy hit rock bottom in the early 1990s.

Mexico and Cuba’s Foreign Ministers Patricia Espinosa and Felipe Perez Roque noted at a press conference Monday that the “standoff” in bilateral relations had been overcome, with dialogue and mutual confidence recovered. The two officials signed an agreement on migratory affairs during Perez Roque’s visit to Mexico City. The document affirms that the “U.S. migratory policy toward Cuba encourages illegal migration and human trafficking,” reported IPS.

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque arrived in Mexico Sunday to sign a bilateral migratory agreement and deliver an invitation to President Felipe Calderon to visit the island from Cuban President Raul Castro. Both nations have kick started their relations since Calderon came to power, after six years of cooling during Vicente Fox’ government. “We come to rebuild links that should have never been damaged,” Perez Roque told the Mexican press upon his arrival.