By L. K. Hewlett
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Timothy Harris, addressed the fifth session of the St. Kitts and Nevis-Cuba Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Co-operation at OTI yesterday.
“The people of the Caribbean are basically one people, one region, struggling for survival in a highly competitive international arena. St. Kitts/Nevis and Cuba both share the view that the struggle to improve the lot of human beings through friendship, solidarity and peace, is of critical importance,” Minister Harris said.
Minister Harris went on to say that we the people of developing societies must look inward for our own strength, our own survival and for the forces that will lead to our own growth and development. The Minister went on to say it is important that people of the South work together, sharing experiences, technology, solidarity, expertise and values, in the interest of our own development.
“Among the tangible areas of co-operations that we’ve had with Cuba, is the sharing of values in relation to the promotion of industry, of self-confidence of a people, which speaks to the resilience of a people in the face of adversity,” the Minister said. “There is an important contribution which Cuba continues to make, not withstanding its challenges. That is the development of human resources.”
Theresa Nisbett, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, also made remarks — giving a brief history of the forming of the co-operation in 1995 between the two countries.
Nisbett highlighted Cuba’s continued assistance in the field of Health and in other areas.
Her Excellency Ana Gonzalez Suarez, Ambassador of Cuba to the Federation, and Yarine Ramirez of the Diplomatic Attache of The Embassy of Cuba both addressed the meeting and spoke of the diplomatic relations between St. Kitts/Nevis and Cuba.
Suarez pointed out that the relationship between the two countries has been one of friendship, collaboration and understanding. She thanked the Prime Minister and the government of St. Kitts and Nevis for the support they have given to Cuba throughout the years.
Permanent Secretary Nisbett said in her closing remarks that the Federation continues to have friendly relations with Cuba and that the meeting was a testimony of the fact that we want to deepen the integration and economic co-operation between the two countries.
Various departments and Ministries will meet with the Cuban Delegation today to discuss future projects and pinpoint areas of needed assistance in these and other departments.
