Havana - The relations between Cuba and Venezuela further advanced towards their consolidation with the signing of agreements that will contribute to strengthen their long term economic, commercial and collaboration links.

With the endorsement yesterday of the Final Accord of the 16th meeting of the Cuba-Venezuela Inter-governmental Commission,as part of the visit of President Nicolas Maduro, the two nations set their route for the development of their links through year 2030.

The meeting is a follow up of the Comprehensive Collaboration Agreement signed in 2000 by then presidents Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro.

The two countries also agreed on the annual cooperation plan for 2016 and a comprehensive project oriented to face the zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses.

President Maduro held official talks yesterday with his counterpart Raul Castro and was awarded by him the Jose Marti Orden, Cuba's highest state honor.

During his acceptance speech, Maduro said he received the honor on behalf of his people, as a commitment of loyalty to the revolutionary leaders Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez and to the ideas of liberationfor which the Latin American and Caribbean nations rose up.

He highlighted the unconditional support received from Cuba for over 15 years of constant efforts to construct a more just society in Venezuela, based on the patriotic and Latin Americanist ideas of Simon Bolivar.