Guyana has recommitted itself towards lobbying the government of the United States for the lifting of the decades-old economic and financial embargo on Cuba as it continues to forge deeper ties with the communist state. This was the message delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to scores of diplomats, heads of state and high-level Caricom officials who converged in Trinidad and Tobago for the staging of the Fourth Caricom/ Cuba Summit.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett, read a message on behalf of newly-elected President Donald Ramotar because he was unable to attend the function, she said Guyana values the excellent relationship it enjoys with Cuba.
Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
“The government has remained firm in its principled stand on the lifting of the unjust economic, trade, and financial embargo against Cuba. We have also consistently called for the inclusion of Cuba in the affairs of the hemisphere. It is, therefore, fitting that Cuba will chair the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in 2013 and in this regard, I wish to extend my congratulations to President Castro,” Rodrigues-Birkett declared.
The foreign affairs minister acknowledged the proposals that have been put forward by Cuba that can give added impetus to its current relations with the region.
“This gesture is a further demonstration of Cuba’s continued commitment to assist – through both bilateral and regional programmes – the economic and social development of our countries, despite the several challenges facing the Cuban people,” Rodrigues-Birkett noted.
She maintained that the Guyanese government is especially grateful to the government and people of Cuba for their selfless and valuable contribution to the development of Guyana and to the welfare of its people.
Birkett took the opportunity to assure all those present of Guyana’s full support in carrying forward the decisions of the summit for the benefit of the peoples represented.
Meanwhile, Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, in delivering remarks at the one-day summit, expressed the view that it will serve to strengthen the commitment to friendship and fraternity between both Caricom and Cuba in the years ahead.
He said the tradition of meeting triennially with Cuba to discuss critical issues is not simply a routine nor a mere well-meaning gesture of goodwill. “It is both a commemoration and a means of exploring further avenues to extend the tangible cooperation that bold diplomacy and true friendship facilitate,” he stated.
Ambassador LaRocque stated that the member states of the Caribbean Community have maintained their unwavering support for the Republic of Cuba in various international fora and take pride in being pioneers in embracing the sister Caribbean nation.
He noted that the Caricom-Cuba joint initiatives have caused the countries to grow closer and the region to become more integrated.
