The Tribune

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said The Bahamas must continue to support Cuba in the international community, including advocating for the rejection of any blockage against the republic.

Mr Christie’s comments came at the Fifth CARICOM-Cuba Summit in Havana yesterday.

“We need to remind ourselves that CARICOM and Cuba have always been able to overcome challenges and to develop strategies for our mutual advantage,” the prime minister said. “In fact, our 41 years of diplomatic relations have been markedly fruitful as a result of functional cooperation in the areas of health, education, sports, culture, agriculture, disaster management, energy and construction.

“We must continue to support each other in international fora, always providing reciprocal support for our initiatives, whether it is in advocacy for the rejection of any blockade against Cuba; support for the re-classification of middle-income economies; negotiations for a strong post-2015 agenda that favours small island developing states; support for Cuba’s leading role in the CELAC process; and support for candidacies for election or appointment to multilateral bodies.

“More generally, we must remain in solidarity with each other in the ongoing quest for the betterment of our respective populations.”

Mr Christie also cited Cuba’s “remarkable selflessness and altruism” which was displayed in the way the country offered help to countries hit by the Ebola crisis in west Africa.

“Indeed Cuba, despite its own challenges, has remained in the forefront of the global response to the Ebola crisis,” he said. “It is, I think, quite astonishing and altogether praiseworthy that a small developing country such as Cuba has been able to provide the world with a wide array of best-practice methodologies, as well as an impressive number of skilled doctors and other healthcare workers in the fight against Ebola.”

He said the two nations must continue talks to facilitate joint ventures in the tourism industry, particularly the concept of multi-destination marketing initiatives and packages.

“Transportation is key to national and economic development and the travel routes of both our national carriers, Bahamasair and Cubana need to be further expanded to facilitate tourism, travel and international trade. We have also noted with satisfaction that talks are ongoing towards the finalisation of a CARICOM-Cuba Trade Agreement.

“At a bilateral level, I am advised that negotiations for two Bahamas/Cuba Agreements for Cooperation in Animal Health and Plant Health are now well advanced.”

He said other areas of bilateral technical cooperation between Cuba and the Bahamas include: the training of language and special education teachers; access to excellent health care services, including the Operation “Miracle Eye” programme; and educational and scholarship offers.

“Looking at where we are today, therefore, it is evident that the Republic of Cuba and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas have already come a long way in developing collaborative ties across a broad and diverse range of common endeavours.

“Be assured, Mr President, of our commitment to the relationship between our two nations as we continue to find ways to work with each other, both bilaterally and within a regional context, for our common benefit.”