I am deeply honoured to address the people of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and of Cuba, on this the 34th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Members of the Caribbean Community. On that historic day in 1972, four independent CARICOM countries – Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago – in a bold act of diplomacy and of strong commitment to the concept of the “oneness” of the Caribbean, established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cuba. Since then, the CARICOM-Cuba relationship has been one of solidarity and fraternity. Over the years it has become stronger and has deepened and now includes cooperation in the political, economic and social domains.
A year ago, the Heads of Government and of State of CARICOM and the Republic of Cuba met in Barbados to reaffirm our friendship and reaffirm our mutual commitment. On that day, not only did we celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, we also strengthened our ties with the signing of “the Declaration of Bridgetown” and of a CARICOM-Cuba Cultural Co-operation Agreement, another major development since the first CARICOM-Cuba Summit in 2002.
Given our shared ideals and the close relationship that exists between Cuba and CARICOM, I would like to reiterate the concern expressed by me as Chairman of the Community earlier this year on behalf of the entire Community, and to assure the people of Cuba of our individual and collective wishes for the well-being and recovery of His Excellency President Fidel Castro Ruz.
For us in CARICOM, we see CARICOM-Cuba day as an annual occasion to celebrate the fraternal links between the Governments and people of CARICOM and the Government and People of Cuba. We are particularly appreciative of the solidarity which has characterised our relations, and the technical and other forms of assistance that Cuba has consistently provided to our people, particularly to the young people of the Region, as they seek to develop their professional skills and contribute to the building of our nations and, collectively, the Community.
Today, there are almost 3000 CARICOM students studying in Cuba, a large number of them beneficiaries of scholarships from the Cuban Government. Their studies in the disciplines of medicine, engineering, telecommunications, architecture, computer science, and geology, among others, will have a tremendous positive impact in their home territories and the CARICOM region.
We recognise and acknowledge Cuba's generous assistance, particularly in the field of health in which that country excels. You have built hospitals, provided medicines, laboratory support facilities, doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, as well as eye care and other types of treatment in Cuba and in the Region for CARICOM Nationals.
Cuba has also played a pre-eminent role in the popularisation and preservation of Caribbean culture in particular the performing arts and it continues to be involved in our regional cultural festival, CARIFESTA.
The Caribbean Community is confident that our relations with Cuba will continue to flourish through trade, cultural and sporting exchanges, and the many other forms of interaction and collaboration that now constitute and reinforce the ties that bind us. The Community will also continue its representation to have Cuba reintegrated into the Councils of the Hemisphere of which it is geographically a part. Our common aspirations and shared challenges as people of the Caribbean demand no less.
In conclusion, today, on behalf of the Governments and People of the Caribbean Community, I extend fraternal greetings and best wishes to the Leadership and People of Cuba.
