REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba for Indonesia Enna Viant Valdes hopes to boost media cooperation between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Cuba to improve relations between the two countries.

" We expect to improve bilateral relations by adding more journalist exchange programs to the ones that have been running so far, which could be used to mutually promote each country," Valdes said in an interview at her residence in Jakarta on Friday.

According to Valdes, people are often confused between Cuba and Colombia, while the former is a peaceful and quiet country.

The journalist exchange program is considered as a way of sharing each country's situation, as depicted in news articles, photographs and audio-visual content.

"The misconception of Cuba's hostile situation is exacerbated by the presence of the U.S. military detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, which is usually reported by the international media as a detention center where prisoners are frequently tortured," Valdes said.

Therefore, a channel to introduce the local culture and traditions in Cuba is needed through the journalist exchange program. The program will enable telling of experiences, while staying in friendly countries.

"Besides Cuba is excellent for tourism, it also excels in medical tourism due to its advanced and cheaper medical services," Valdes said.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Cuba began under the reign of Indonesia's first president Sukarno on January 22, 1960. The relationship was largely focused on sports and health.

The diplomatic relations started when Indonesian President Sukarno first visited the Cuban capital of Havana and paid a courtesy call to President Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara.

During this period, the relationship of the leaders of the two countries was close, especially since they shared the leftist revolutionary aspirations against imperialism. Sukarno, however, did not share a close relationship with a number of other leaders of the socialist world.

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