HAVANA (Xinhua) -- Cuban leader Raul Castro met with former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma for talks that focused on bilateral ties and some global challenges including climate change.

During the meeting, Castro and Kuchma, who was here for a visit as the special envoy of Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych, discussed “the positive aspects” and prospects of bilateral ties, local media reported.
Their discussion also focused on some global challenges, such as the negative effects of climate change on the environment, as well as the situation in Haiti.
Kuchma was in Cuba for activities marking the 20th anniversary of the medical care program for children affected by the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl.
Kuchma presented Raul and former Cuban leader Fidel Castro with decorations awarded by Yanukovych for their contributions to the recovery of the child victims of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.