HABANA, Republic of Cuba – 9th December 2014……….In what resident diplomats in the Republic of Cuba considered an unusually lengthy audience for a new Head of Government, Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne and President of the Republic of Cuba, Raul Castro held fruitful discussions on Sunday during the Antiguan and Barbudan leader’s first official visit to Cuba.
During the discussions, Prime Minister Browne recommitted his government to supporting the Republic of Cuba regionally and internationally and to continue to call on the United States government to end the blockade against the country. He also pledged his government’s continued commitment to strengthening the excellent relations between both countries.
President Castro congratulated Prime Minister Browne on his recent election to office and thanked his administration for its firm support and remarked that he considered Prime Minister Browne a personal friend and a friend of the people of Cuba. Discussions centred on a wide range of areas for further cooperation between both countries.
Coming out of the discussions, Cuba will immediately send to Antigua and Barbuda two engineers who will evaluate the country’s water catchment infrastructure with the aim of improving the system.
President Castro also approved for Antigua and Barbuda seventeen (17) scholarships in medical specialization, additional medical scholarships, and fifteen (15) mathematics tutors/lecturers at the Masters and PhD. Levels who will lecture at secondary schools and the soon to be established University College of Antigua and Barbuda.
Agreement was also reached on the provision of technical support at Mount St. John Medical Centre with the aim of developing the institution’s capacity in medical tourism, making Antigua and Barbuda the epicenter for the OECS in this field.
Both leaders also agreed to the establishment of a pharmaceutical factory in Antigua and Barbuda to supply the OECS and wider region along with the training of physical education and sports personnel in a Train the Trainers programme.
“It is my estimation that Antigua and Barbuda and the Republic of Cuba relations reached an all time high from my discussions with President Castro and our nation’s people stands to benefit significantly as we work to further build on our relationship. President Castro has proven to be an encyclopedia of experience and knowledge and I was delighted to officially engage him in what I believe would be the first of many,” said Prime Minister Browne.
Prime Minister Browne was accompanied to Cuba by Health and Environment Minister, the Hon. Molwyn Joseph; Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, the Hon. Charles Fernandez; Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Colin Murdoch and Foreign Service Officer Janelle Matthew. (Ends)
