(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)Long-standing relations between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Republic of Cuba have served to enhance the standard of living of citizens of both CARICOM and Cuba, and represent a celebration of true fraternity.
This was the view expressed by CARICOM Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Edwin Carrington at the Georgetown, Guyana Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat, where he received the credentials of His Excellency Alejandro Marchante Castellanos, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to CARICOM, on Friday 10 March.
In welcoming Ambassador Marchante Castellanos to the Region, the Secretary-General said the December 2005 signing of the Declaration of Bridgetown and a CARICOM/Cuba Cultural Cooperation Agreement between CARICOM and Cuba marked a reaffirming of relations between the two sides.
Mr. Carrington stated, “The countries of the Region and Cuba enjoy a shared Caribbean identity that enriches and strengthens our common regional interests.” He pointed out that CARICOM/Cuba bilateral relations had also resulted in the Region’s development through exchanges that had benefited persons particularly in the social sector.
While noting that CARICOM/Cuba relations were initially underpinned by social and political cooperation, Mr. Carrington also noted Cuba’s active participation in the work of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM). This is in addition to its collaboration with CARICOM at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
In reciprocal remarks, the Cuban Ambassador to CARICOM said his post to the Region presented an opportunity for the pursuit of stronger relations between Cuba and the countries of the Community.
He noted that as Cuba sought to further strengthen its bonds with individual Member States, plans were on stream for the establishment of diplomatic missions in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname, giving Cuba a diplomat presence in all Member States.
Ambassador Marchante extended best wishes to the Governments and people of the Region, and pledged his support for the continued cementing of relations between his country and CARICOM.
CARICOM/Cuba diplomatic relations were established in 1972 between that Caribbean country and the then four independent nations of the Caribbean Community – Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Twenty one years later, in 1993, the Caribbean Community and Cuba established a CARICOM-Cuba Joint Commission as a mechanism for advancing cooperation between the two sides in a number of areas vital to their mutual development.
A number of CARICOM citizens have benefited from training in several disciplines including health and education, as a result of scholarships offered by Cuba.
