North Korean leader meets Diaz-Canel in Pyongyang

North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un He met on Monday in Pyongyang with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, with whom he spoke about "fundamental issues of common concern" relating to the current international situation, informed the official press on Monday.

Díaz-Canel is visiting North Korea as part of an international tour that takes place at a time when negotiations between North Korea and the United States are halted and just days after that Washington has imposed new trade restrictions on Cuba.

The United States and Havana restored their plenary relationship in 2015, after more than half a century of enmity, but they have deteriorated since the appointment of Donald Trump to the presidency.

"A profound exchange of views took place on fundamental issues of common interest […] of the international situation and a consensus was reached on all matters", said the official agency North Korean KCNA.

Diaz-Canel was received by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, Sunday at Pyongyang International Airport, also told KCNA, before attending a banquet and a welcome concert .

While toasting at the banquet, Mr. Kim stated that his meeting with the Cuban leader represented the desire to continue to maintain the friendship between the two countries. "

In response, Diaz-Canel said he was willing to" face all the challenges posed by hostile forces "while maintaining" their friendship and traditional cooperative relations, "according to KCNA

Díaz-Canel badumed the presidency of Cuba in April, following a historic transition to power over the island to succeed Raúl Castro.

The Cuban Communist Regime is a close ally of Korea of the North, who declared three days of official mourning after the death of Fidel Castro in November 2016.

He went to North Korea in 1986 to meet in Pyongyang the founder of the North Korean regime, Kim Il Sung

Cuba disobeyed international sanctions imposed in the past on North Korea for its nuclear weapons programs

In 2013, Panama seized a North Korean ship carrying an undeclared cargo Cuban arms of the Soviet era hidden under bags of sugar North Korea has defended itself by ensuring that the weapons are repaired and returned.