Serbian president given top Cuban state honor

Serbian president given top Cuban state honor

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, who is visiting Cuba, has been presented with the country's top state honor, the Order of Jose Marti.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic in official visit to Cuba @predsednikrs @RaulCastroR pic.twitter.com/wgfuRWqjLC

? ForeignAffairsSerbia (@SRBDiplomacy) May 18, 2015

Cuba awards the order "for contribution to world peace, education, culture, and science."  Last year, the recipients included the presidents of Russia and China.

Nikolic was previously welcomed in Havana by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Rogelio Sierra Diaz, Cuba's Ambassador to Serbia Mayra Ruiz, and former Ambassador Mercedes Valdez.

Diaz welcomed Nikolic on behalf of the Cuban president to stress the high level of cooperation between the two countries "that is gaining a new dimension" with the visit.

The press service of the Serbian president said that the Serbian delegation includes Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar. Nikolic's wife, Dragica Nikolic, is also traveling with him, and will visit a children's hospital and present a donation consisting of baby equipment.

Dragica Nikolic will also visit a school for children with special needs where she will donate laptops, the statement said.