North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong has affirmed the DPRK’s relations with Cuba, saying the two countries shared “excellent” bilateral ties, according to La Prensa Latina on March 17.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) wrote that Ri and an official delegation had arrived in Havana on March 15, but gave no further details as to the purpose of their visit, which coincides with negotiations between Havana and Washington on restoring diplomatic relations.