(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-20 14:37

Mexico City -- The Mexican government said Tuesday that it would continue to push for the development of Mexico-Cuba relations to realize the normalization of bilateral ties at an early date.

The Foreign Ministry statement was issued following the announcement by Cuban leader Fidel Castro that he is stepping down as president of the Council of Ministers and president of the Council of the State of Cuba.

The statement reaffirmed Mexico's willingness to promote the development of its relations with Cuba, adding that Mexico respects the independent decision and the will of the Cuban people on the issue.

The Mexican government wished Castro a quick recovery and said it would closely follow developments in Cuba's political situation.

Castro, who temporarily handed over power to his brother and Defense Minister Raul Castro due to intestinal surgery in July 2006, was reelected as a deputy of the National Assembly in January.

In a statement published in the online version of the official daily Granma Tuesday, Castro said that he would not accept the position of president of the Council of State.

Relations between Mexico and Cuba soured in 2002 when Mexico backed a UN human rights resolution against Cuba.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon said in March 2007 that his government would try to restore its ties with Cuba.