The President of the Republic of Gambia, Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, is due to be officially welcomed at the Council of State on Thursday afternoon, as part of his visit to Cuba.
Here until Friday, the African statesman is expected to meet with Cuban First Vice President Army General Raul Castro and other leaders, and visit sites of economic and social interest.
The aim of the tour is to foster ties of friendship and collaboration between the governments and peoples of Cuba and Gambia, both members of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Cuba and Gambia established diplomatic relations on May 19, 1979, the island's representation at a level of interim Charge d'Affaires was opened in Banjul in December 1999 and later an ambassador was appointed to that country.
Jammeh visited Cuba invited by the Cuban president in April 1999, accompanied by the Secretary of State for Foreign Relations, and attended the South Summit held in Havana in April 2000.