HAVANA, CUBA.- The president of East Timor Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta described as “a wonderful experience” his four-hour meeting with the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.

Speaking to reporters at the Jose Marti International Airport of Havana before leaving the island on Sunday, Ramos-Horta said he saw Fidel in very good health and that they spoke about the current situation in East Timor and other topics of international interest.

He added that this was a very special visit because he came to receive Cuba’s highest decoration, the Jose Marti National Order, and to bring the East Timor Order to Fidel Castro.

Ramos-Horta also spoke of his meeting with students from his country who are concluding the fourth year of their medical studies in Cuba and who will conclude their training in their homeland with the assistance of Cuban health specialists there.

“Perhaps in five or ten years we will be able to follow Cuba’s example and guarantee full health care to our people and, in addition, help other countries in our region,” he pointed out.

The president of East Timor was seen off by Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Marcos Rodriguez.