Honorable Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, Justice of the Peace, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Barbados;

Dr. June Soomer, Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States;

Distinguished delegates and guests;

Excellencies:

First of all I would like to welcome the initiative of the government of Barbados, as chair of the Association of Caribbean States Council of Ministers, of convening this online meeting.

COVID-19, the epicenter of which has now moved to our region, generating a health crisis of huge proportions, is threatening all our lives, thus confirming the need for cooperation and solidarity to confront the pandemic, as well as the increasing challenges resulting from the situation that has been created

The Association has taken action to coordinate our work to protect the health of our peoples. Particularly worth mentioning are those resulting from the First Extraordinary Meeting of Foreign and Health Ministers on COVID-19 and the First Regional technical Meeting of ACS member states and associate members on the pandemic.

These are times to express solidarity and understand health as a right, a principle that motivates our country’s cooperation, given the emergency. In keeping with this strong belief, Cuba has responded to requests from several countries to combat COVID-19, in virtue of which Cuban health professionals and technicians have travelled specifically to provide health care and advice to 16 Association member states, and joined medical brigades already serving there, thus increasing to 20 the number of ACS member states which are benefitting from medical cooperation offered by Cuba.

Added to the challenge of preserving human life under the conditions imposed by the pandemic is the need to reactivate the economies of our nations, after a drastic reduction of productive, economic and commercial activities, which were already hit hard by the international economic crisis, the negative effects of climate change, the occurrence of natural disasters and the terrible and unsustainable burden of foreign debt that is inherent to the unjust international financial system.

Excellencies:

Even under the present circumstances, unilateral coercive measures continue to be imposed, which are causing humanitarian damage and making impossible government acquisition of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals necessary to treat the sick.

In the case of Cuba, the blockade has been further tightened; and the politically motivated campaign against our medical cooperation – meant to damage these services currently benefitting thousands of persons – has been further escalated.

I would like to thank the Association and all member states for opposing the irrational, illegal and cruel blockade policy against our people.

We salute the election of the Dominican Republic as President of the Association’s Council of Ministers Executive Board and appreciate the able work of this body by Barbados, as well as the effective performance of Dr. June Soomer.

We likewise welcome the new Secretary-General, confident that he will use his vast experience to successfully fulfill the mandates received from our heads of state and/or government.

To those who initiate their terms in such important positions, we express our willingness to continue contributing within the ACS. To those who conclude their mandates we express our gratitude.

We are sure that this important meeting will decisively contribute to advancing the Association. Cuba will continue working in favor of unity and for the consolidation of our Association.

Thank you, very much!

Through this event, we are showing the world that we are an extremely important area, stated José Chaple Hernández, director of Trade Policy for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (Mincex).

Chaple noted that the ACS-AEC is an important mechanism for member states and a vital point of contact for the Caribbean region.

According to the Cuban official, the Constitutive Agreement of the organization, created in 1994, seeks to promote dialogue, cooperation and joint action between Caribbean countries.

In this sense he highlighted the First ACS-AEC Cooperation Conference which took place yesterday, March 8, during which projects on climate change and inter-Caribbean transportation were presented.

Regarding trade, he noted that Cuba is the main commercial partner of ACS-AEC countries within the Latin American region, while the Caribbean makes up 20% of the island’s foreign trade partnerships.

Chaple went on to note that Venezuela and Mexico feature among Cuba’s top 10 trading partners, while trade with Trinidad and Tobago’s increased during 2016.

The Cuban official noted that such exchanges were made possible thanks to cooperation agreements with various countries of the region.

“Regarding construction, the most recent example of collaboration was the inauguration of the Argyle International Airport, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which was attended by Salvador Valdés Mesa, a Council of State vice president,” stated Chaple.

He explained that Cuba maintains historic cooperation ties with Haiti, where 700 of the island’s health professionals are currently offering their services, while also noting that initial steps have already been taken to continue such efforts with the country’s new government, led by Jovenel Moise.

IT’S NOT ABOUT COMPETING, IT’S ABOUT SHARING

“We are all in the same geographic area, a space of great economic importance, linking north to south, through which both goods and people travel. This is a strategic region,” stated Déborah Rivas Saavedra, Mincex director general of foreign investment.

The Cuban official stressed that the regional economy should not be viewed from the perspective of competition, but cooperation. “It’s about making the most of common assets and creating economic alliances,” she stated. We treat tourism, a strategic sector in the region, as something shared, not a competition, noted Rivas Saavedra, adding that Cuba received over four million visitors last year.

Regarding joint growth, the Cuban official explained that, “With special development zones in the region, the 22 member states and partners, believe that we should take a leap forward together.

“Cuba in particular,” she noted “has developed a regulatory framework which enables our Caribbean partners to seek out agreements which generate mutual benefits.”

We have signed agreements with various regional countries and investors are able to enjoy the tax incentives offered by our island, she stated.

Rivas also reaffirmed Cuba’s interest in expanding cooperation with the Caribbean community and called to establish strategic alliances within the ACS-AEC.

She went on to note that the country has clearly defined medium and long term development goals, which include foreign investment in well-defined areas.

Rivas recalled that Cuba continues to be the victim of an economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, the extraterritorial nature of which negatively affects the island’s relations with foreign partners.

These are the objective conditions which impact on and prevent the island from attracting more foreign investment, she noted.

She went on to explain that internal problems exist, such as the need to further train Cuban businesspeople, but stated that “our problems cannot be solved with the strike of a pen, with the signing of a foreign investment law. We must create and enhance the capabilities of our entrepreneurs.”

THE ZEDM: A VEHICLE FOR PROMOTING COOPERATION

These encounters held within the framework of the ACS-AEC are of vital importance to regional integration as they facilitate exchanges and dialogue, stated Oscar Pérez Oliva Fraga, Business Assessment director at the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM).

Oliva Fraga recalled that the ZEDM was created in September 2013, intended to be a hub for industrial, logistical, port and commercial projects with the aim of making the Caribbean a strategic trade center, and supporting regional and global integration.

The ZEDM official noted that thus far the Zone has 24 users, three of the most important of which are ACS-AEC member states, including Mexico and Panama.

He stated that there are currently 11 investors based in the 465.4 square kilometer zone, including Cuba, with 966 million dollars worth of investment projects approved to date.

Oliva Fraga went on to highlight that 4,073 jobs have been created among eight of the ZEDM’s 24 users.

The ZEDM provides an opportunity to strengthen links within the region and the rest of the world, noted the Cuban official.

The container terminal is also a great opportunity to promote trade and maritime connectivity, he said.

According to Pérez Oliva, new projects have recently been incorporated into the ZEDM, such as a Portuguese design company, engineering and material production initiatives, a logistics services company from Panama and another from Brazil, as well as a joint venture between A.T. Comercial and Iberostar providing tourism based logistics services.

(Granma)

Speaking during a press conference, the Cuban official noted that other important issues for the region, such as tourism and trade, will also be addressed during the event.

The maritime connectivity work program entitled “Uniting the Caribbean by Air and Sea” for example, features documents such as maritime route maps of the area, currently in its fifth stage of development; a port and maritime strategy, and short distance maritime transport, coordinated by a Mexican entity.

According to Sierra, all activities taking place this week in Cuba represent an opportunity to promote regional cooperation and consensus.
The Cuban official also reported that a series of projects featured within the association’s Action Plan, established in its 7th Summit held in Havana last year, will be presented during this First ACS-AEC Cooperation Conference.

The event will be attended by representatives of associated member states, observer nations, other relevant countries, and United Nations programs and funds, in order to strengthen relations with the Caribbean community.

This First ACS-AEC Cooperation Conference was jointly convened by the organization’s Secretary General and Cuba, in its role as president pro tempore of the bloc’s Ministerial Council, and seeks to boost cooperation among members of the Community.

(Granma)

Events will kick-off in Havana on March 8 with the Association of Caribbean States’ (ACS-AEC) First Cooperation Conference, which will see the participation of representatives from international organizations and countries which, given their experience in the field, could contribute to the region’s development.

Meanwhile the Preparatory Meeting of the 22nd Ordinary Meeting of the ACS-AEC Ministerial Council will take place on March 9, followed by the 22nd Ministerial Council Meeting of the bloc – whose pro tempore presidency has been held by Cuba since 2016 – on the 10th.

These events are taking place at a time when the organization is undergoing a revitalization process. The ACS-AEC was created in 1994 as a mechanism to promote dialogue, cooperation, and joint action among Caribbean countries.

Likewise, the Fifth Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom)-Cuba Ministerial Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 11, to review the state of relations between the island and the regional bloc.

Cuba has worked closely with Caribbean countries on issues such as combating climate change, the development of sea transportation in the region, and sustainable tourism; and continues to uphold its commitment to work in solidarity with these nations.

(Granma)

The meeting allowed the two leaders to reconfirm the good state of bilateral relations and positive results of cooperation in diverse areas, while also providing an opportunity to discuss regional and international issues of common interest.

President Bouterse was accompanied by Foreign Minister Niermala S. Badrising; Minister of Finances Gilmore A. Hoefdraad; and Ambassador Ike D. Antonius.

Also attending on the Cuban side was Marcelino Medina González, first deputy foreign minister.

(Granma)

The two leaders agreed on the positive state of diplomatic relations and cooperation ties, and discussed issues of common interest on the regional and international agendas.

The distinguished visitor was accompanied by Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Elaine Foster Allen, and Ambassador A’dele G. Robinson.

Participating on the Cuban side was Marcelino Medina Gon­zález, first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs.

(Granma)

Esteemed Ambassador Alfonso Munera Cavadia, Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States,

Distinguished delegates and guests,

For the seventh time, we are meeting as Heads of States and/or Government, alongside other high representatives of the States and territories of the Association of Caribbean States, ACS. On this occasion we have gathered for a deep exchange on the theme “Together to confront the challenges of sustainable development, climate change and peace in the Caribbean”.

Our deliberations will also be aimed at strengthening the organization on the basis of its foundational principles, as a mechanism of coordination, cooperation and concerted action.

We welcome the French Overseas Collectivity of Saint Martin, a new Associate Member, and salute the adherence as Observers of the Multinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Eastern Republic of Uruguay and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP), the same as the presence of representatives of nations and organizations as Observers.

We hope one day to be able to count with the adherence of all of the Caribbean territories, including the sister island of Puerto Rico, as an independent and sovereign nation.

When in July 1994, the Heads of States and/or Government of 25 independent nations met in the city of Cartagena de Indias, along with delegates from other Caribbean territories, embracing the historic initiative of CARICOM to establish the Association of Caribbean States, it was our purpose to work together in defense of our identities, cultural heritage and common interests; to reinforce political coordination and cooperation; and to advance with sustainable development, and the integration of our peoples.

The Program Declaration of our 1st Summit in Trinidad and Tobago defined Tourism, Transportation and Commerce as strategic areas. Then, cooperation to cope with natural disasters was later added to these. The Declaration of the 6th Summit held in Merida, Mexico, in April 2014, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the ACS, and the Petion Ville Plan of Action adopted at the 5th Summit the year before in that city of the Republic of Haiti, reaffirmed unquestionable achievements but also enormous challenges still ahead.

The issue of connection by air and by sea, its high costs and economic difficulties, largely the consequence of the global crisis– jeopardize commerce and investments between our countries. Therefore, it is urgent to find creative and viable solutions beneficial to all, mindful of the special and differentiated treatment required by smaller states.

The development of multi-destination tourism, the diversification of markets, increases in the quality and diversity of tourist services and the training of skilled personnel also stand as priority areas.

Allow me to avail myself of the occasion to underline that Cuba is especially interested in enhancing and consolidating cooperation with our Caribbean brothers and sisters in the tourism sector.

On the other hand, the occurrences associated to climate change, such as the rising of sea level that threatens the very existence of small islands; the more frequent and increasingly powerful hurricanes; and, the intensive rainfalls, coastal erosion and extensive droughts bring considerable human and economic damage to our nations. That is why the development of cooperation to reduce the risks of disasters, and mitigate their effects, is a pressing necessity for our governments, and should take central stage in our plan of action for the future.

The agreement reached at the Paris Summit on Climate Change stands as a significant starting point, but we should continue our work to have it implemented, and to enlarge its scope, always on the basis of common but differentiated responsibilities, and recognizing the vulnerabilities of the least developed countries, particularly the small island states.

We advocate the principle that irrational production and consumption patterns should be modified, and insist that the political will of the industrial nations is required to cut down emissions of greenhouse effect friendly gases, and to make serious pledges in terms of funds and technological transfer.

Another issue demanding priority attention concerns sovereignty over our natural resources, which constitute a guarantee for the future and a source of wealth for our peoples. Allowing their unrestricted exploitation by foreign interests, with negligible profits for our nations, is tantamount to compromising development and adding to existing dependence.

In the past few years, the ACS has concentrated its main efforts on advancing cooperation in the previously mentioned strategic areas. This is certainly positive, and we should continue working on it, but never losing sight of the fact that the current circumstances pose severe challenges that we also need to confront together.

We cannot remain indifferent to disturbances in Latin America and the Caribbean resulting from the imperialist and oligarchic counteroffensive unleashed against popular and progressive governments, which emerged after the failure of the neoliberal wave. This constitutes a threat to peace, stability, unity and indispensable regional integration.

The situation demands the reinforcement of consultation and coordination mechanisms in conformity with the precepts contained in Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, signed by the Heads of States and/or Government attending the 2nd Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (CELAC), held in Havana in January 2014. We should also urge others to respect those principles in their relations with our countries.

The commitments of States in the region to not interfere, directly or indirectly, in the internal affairs of any other State, and to abide by the principles of national sovereignty, equality of rights and the free determination of the peoples; to promote friendly and cooperative relations between them, and with other nations; to exercise tolerance and live in peace; and, to fully respect every State’s inalienable right to choose its political, economic, social and cultural system are unavoidable conditions to peace, harmony, development and the integration of our countries.

I reaffirm our strongest and unconditional solidarity with the fraternal people of Venezuela, with the legitimate government of President Nicolas Maduro, and with the Bolivarian Revolution initiated by Commander Hugo Chavez Frias. They are firmly resisting the destabilizing thrust, and the economic and media warfare undertaken by those who intend to sweep away the political, economic and social conquests that have brought benefits to millions of people who for centuries lived in conditions of poverty, injustice and inequality.

It is a source of deep concern, the unacceptable attempt by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States to apply the so-called Inter American Democratic Charter to interfere with the internal affairs of Venezuela. The statement published by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains Cuba’s position and releases me of offering details.

I would only reiterate our view that the OAS, from its inception was, as it is and will continue to be, an instrument of imperialist domination, and no reform whatsoever can change its nature or its history. That is why Cuba will never return to the OAS.

We also extend our solidarity to the Brazilian people and their Constitutional President Dilma Rousseff, who is bravely confronting the parliamentary coup d’état promoted by the rightwing and neoliberal oligarchy, intent on reversing the social achievements scored during the governments headed by the Workers Party.

I reaffirm our satisfaction with the progress attained in the Colombian peace process, and reiterate that we shall keep up the effort to contribute to achieve the completion of an agreement that can definitely put an end to the armed conflict in that sister nation.

The preservation of peaceful coexistence and stability makes it indispensable to prevent the aggravation of territorial disputes inherited from colonial days. These should be settled through dialogue and negotiation, and fully aware of the historic responsibility that we have to our peoples for the future of peace, justice, equity and the sustainable development that we all aspire to build.

This conference offers propitious occasion to restate our steadfast determination to continue cooperating and sharing our modest achievements with our Caribbean brothers and sisters, despite the economic challenges we face.

Likewise, we are fully committed to support the reconstruction and development of the fraternal Republic of Haiti, the birthplace of the first revolution for independence and slave emancipation in Our America.

I reaffirm our support for the legitimate demand of countries of the Caribbean Community to be compensated for the horrors of slavery and slave trade. By the same token, I reiterate our resolute support for the right of small and vulnerable states to be accorded a special and differentiated treatment, in terms of access to commerce and investments, and their just demand to receive cooperation according to their real needs and not on the basis of indexes of per capita income that classify them as middle income countries, thus preventing their access to indispensable financial resources.

We shall never forget that when the ACS was established, in July 1994, our Caribbean brothers and sisters defended our membership in the bosom of this united family. At the time, Cuba was undergoing an extremely challenging situation, since our economy had fallen by 35%, due to the sudden loss of its major markets, in the aftermath of the demise of the European socialist camp and mounting imperialist pressures to corner and destroy the Revolution.

We shall neither forget the unrelenting support that every government represented here has provided to our just demand for the removal of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States; a blockade that remains in force, despite the fact that it has been rejected 24 times at the United Nations General Assembly, and other important fora, like the Summit of the Americas held in Panama last year; and despite positive but insufficient measures adopted by the current U.S. Administration.

We also appreciate the support displayed at the 4th CELAC Summit with respect to our demand for the return of the Cuban territory unlawfully occupied by a U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo, against the will of our people and government.

Before concluding my remarks, I wish to pay tribute to the memory of an outstanding Jamaican intellectual, Professor Norman Girvan, a restless combatant for progress in the Caribbean, and for regional integration, and a great friend of Cuba, who served as Secretary General of our Association.

We should also acknowledge at this point, the remarkable work of Ambassador Alfonso Munera Cavadia in these four years as Secretary General of the ACS, and express our satisfaction over the election of Saint Lucia’s Ambassador June Soomer, the first woman to assume this responsibility, and to whom we wish the greatest success.

Now, without further delay I pronounce the 7th Summit of the Association of Caribbean States open.

(Granma)

Inaugurating the Ministerial Council of the Seventh Summit of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), which is currently in session in Havana, the Cuban Foreign minister noted that despite the progress made in social justice, the region remains the most unequal on the planet.

These challenges should be dealt with through consultation, dialogue and cooperation as stipulated in the agreement establishing the ACS, Rodríguez Parrilla stated, while noting that the organization has been strengthened.

The Summits of Petion Ville and Merida were decisive in the process of strengthening the ACS, created in 1994 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, Rodríguez Parrilla told gathered foreign ministers and heads of delegations.

At another point he stressed that the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace adopted at the Second CELAC Summit in Havana was a guide to ensuring stability and peace in the region.

Speaking at Havana’s Convention Center, one of the Summit venues, the Cuban Foreign minister reported that this Thursday, June 2, ACS Senior Officials had reviewed the documents to be discussed in the Ministerial Council.

In this regard, he noted that today’s discussions will enable consensus and facilitate the discussions at the meeting of Heads of State and/or Government tomorrow in the Palace of the Revolution.

(Granma)

More than 30,100 Cuban health care collaborators are currently working in 18 of the 25 ACS member nations, according to Dr. Regla Angulo Pardo, member of the Party Central Committee, and director of the country’s Medical Cooperation Central Unit (UCCM).

Dr. Angulo reported that Venezuela leads the list of cooperating countries with 28,395 Cuban doctors, technicians and nurses working there; followed by Haiti with 555; Guatemala 364; Trinidad & Tobago 164; Guyana 160; Jamaica 93; Belize 87; and Honduras 79.

Cuba also has 53 medical collaborators in Nicaragua; 43 in Antigua & Barbudas; 39 in the Bahamas; 24 in both Dominica and Grenada; 15 in St. Kitts & Nevis; 14 in St. Lucia; seven in Suriname; plus five advisors in El Salvador and three in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The UCCM director clarified that additionally, as part of Operation Miracle devoted to restoring patients’ vision, Cuban ophthalmologists are serving in nine other Caribbean nations.

She recalled that in 2015, a 15-member brigade from the Henry Reeve Contingent, traveled to Dominica, to support the population in the wake of damage caused by tropical storm Erika.

Dr. Angulo reported that Cuban health care workers have treated some 1.2 billion patients in ACS countries, attended 689,365 births, and performed 4.6 million surgeries, in addition to promoting important vaccination and preventative health care campaigns, winning the admiration and respect of the population and authorities.

(ACN)