Cuba a critical partner to CARICOM, says Brantley

St. Kitts and Nevis joined the rest of the region observing Caricom-Cuba day on December 8, which marked 43 years of strong ties and friendship and cooperation between Caricom and Cuba.

St. Kitts-Nevis Foreign Minister Hon. Mark Brantley says Cuba now plays a fundamental role in the Caribbean region, since the formalization of diplomatic relations between Caricom member states and Cuba in 2002.

“This valued relationship between Caricom and Cuba has blossomed over the years, and continues to mature with the strengthening of cooperation in multiple areas.

“Cuba is now considered, by far, the largest contributor among Caricom’s international partners, due to the number of scholarship programs offered in several areas of study, training in health and medicine, sports, agriculture and trade,” said Brantley.

“Caricom-Cuba Day is a day to celebrate fruitful relationships, strengthening of ties and the importance of cordial and productive relations. The Caricom-Cuba relationship exemplifies the benefits of working towards fraternity peace and prosperity and demonstrates true Caribbean unity.”

The success of the Cuba-Caricom relationship is evident in the number of invitations extended from Cuba to attend forums and workshops in the fields of business investments, entrepreneurships, agriculture, natural disaster preparedness and management, language translation, tourism development, culture and heritage, the Foreign Minister highlighted.

Brantley also noted that as part of their trade and economic cooperation, Caricom stands ready to grant the preferential access to 47 of the 85 items Cuba requested.

Cuba, as a developing nation, has experienced a number of challenges over the years that have caused hardship for its people, Brantley said, emphasizing that Caricom and St. Kitts and Nevis “stand in solidarity” in supporting the United Nations resolution to have the US lift embargos against Cuba.

He said the government and people of the federation applaud the recent rapprochement and enhanced relations between Cuba and the US.

St. Kitts-Nevis has enjoyed 20 years of fruitful diplomatic relations with Cuba, according to the Minister, adding that the government holds “in highest regards” the relationship with the people and government of the Republic of Cuba

“The relations between our countries boast a rewarding partnership with mutual benefits. St. Kitts and Nevis has not only benefited though the multilateral Caricom-Cuba arrangement, but also bilaterally. We acknowledge with deep appreciation the wide range of cooperation programs offered by the Cuban government which have yielded positive results for our people.”

Currently 21 students are pursuing studies in Cuba, and to date a total of 90 students have graduated from Cuban institutions and have embarked on careers that have positively impacted every facet of the local society especially in education, health, agriculture and within the private sector, said Brantley as he highlighted the level of commitment from the Cuban side to St. Kitts-Nevis capacity building and human resource development over the years.

Caricom Chairman, Barbados Prime Minister Hon. Freundel Stuart said since establishing diplomatic ties over 40 years ago, the relationship between CARICOM and the Republic of Cuba has matured considerably, evolving over the years into a fruitful and mutually beneficial friendship.

Speaking to the blossoming trade and economic relations arising from the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement between CARICOM and the Republic of Cuba, signed in July 2000, PM Stuart said the Joint Commission established under the Agreement last October, has advanced discussions aimed at improving its implementation and deepening of cooperation.

“The Caribbean Community looks forward to a strengthened trade and economic partnership with the Republic of Cuba in the years ahead.”

Cuban Ambassador H. E Hugo Ruiz Cabrera said the Caricom and Cuba continue to meet and dialogue at the highest level and strengthen cooperation. He said the countries share a deep friendship, mutual respect and solidarity.

“Cuba is highly proud of the excellent relations that exist with all Caribbean countries. The economic and cooperative relations with Cuba and Caricom are based on friendship, solidarity and complementarity…We continue to cement and expand to higher goals, the ties that unite us,” he said in a Caricom-Cuba Day message where he praised the historical and cultural bonds that exist among the people of Cuba and Caricom.