Region renews call for lifting of unjust economic embargo on Cuba
THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM)  has renewed its call for the lifting of the unjust economic embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba which, for too long now, has represented a major hindrance to the attainment of the full development that its people so rightly deserve.

On the occasion of the Thirty-Eighth Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Members of the Caribbean Community being celebrated today, Chairman of The Conference of  Heads of Government of CARICOM Mr. Bruce Golding, who is also Prime Minister of Jamaica, said:
“We in CARICOM have long considered Cuba an important regional and hemispheric partner and an important element in our diversity.  In this context, the Community will continue to support the call for the lifting of the unjust economic embargo imposed on Cuba which, for too long now, has represented a major hindrance to the attainment of the full development that its people so rightly deserve.”

The following is the full statement by Prime Minister Golding, released by the CARICOM Secretariat, on the occasion  of CARICOM-CUBA day today:
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IT is my distinct honour in my capacity as Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to mark the occasion of the Thirty-Eighth Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Members of the Caribbean Community.

The relationship which CARICOM and Cuba have carved out since 1972 can be characterized as strong, deep, and solid. What we are celebrating today represents not just the oneness of the Caribbean, but also an excellent model of south-south relations, persistently pursued by both sides, amidst an environment of significant changes and challenges in the global political, economic, and social spheres.

For more than three decades the friendship between CARICOM and Cuba has been carefully moulded and fostered, as we worked together to forge a comprehensive network of co-operation, which has proven beneficial to both sides.

Our co-operation has been bolstered by the political commitment embodied in the Havana Declaration adopted at the First CARICOM-Cuba Summit held in Havana, Cuba on 8 December 2002.

It is this Declaration which, inter alia, gave rise to the celebration of CARICOM-Cuba Day and which provides for our regular encounters at the Heads of Government and Ministerial levels.

In this regard, I must take the opportunity to reiterate the Community’s sincere appreciation for the successful hosting by Cuba on 17 September of this year, of the Third CARICOM-Cuba Ministerial Meeting, conducted in an atmosphere of genuine Caribbean warmth, friendship, and mutual respect.

The frank exchange among our Foreign Ministers on a wide range of bilateral, hemispheric, and global issues afforded our countries the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to continued collaboration in the regional and international spheres with a view to achieving the sustainable development of our nations and the increased well-being of our respective peoples.

In these times marked by various global crises and threats, the continued generosity of Cuba’s technical assistance and support aimed at enhancing the quality of our human resources and the well-being of our citizenry is most deeply appreciated. Particularly noteworthy is the support which the Region has received through a number of health and Disaster Relief initiatives spearheaded by Cuba.

In particular, I wish to thank the Government and people of Cuba for their invaluable assistance to Haiti in the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake of 12 January 2010.

The Special Declaration on Haiti adopted jointly by the CARICOM and Cuban Foreign Ministers at their Meeting in Havana in September of this year, and the commitment expressed therein to collaborate closely to promote continued international support for the sustainable development of Haiti in the long term, are indicative of the meaningful south-south relationship which the Caribbean Community and Cuba have deliberately and actively crafted over the years.

We in CARICOM have long considered Cuba an important regional and hemispheric partner and an important element in our diversity.

In this context, the Community will continue to support the call for the lifting of the unjust economic embargo imposed on Cuba, which for too long now has represented a major hindrance to the attainment of the full development that its people so rightly deserve.

As we celebrate another year of friendship and look forward to another year of continued cooperation, I take this opportunity on behalf of the Governments and people of the Caribbean Community, to extend our best wishes for the well-being and prosperity of the Government and people of Cuba and to reiterate the Community’s commitment to the further strengthening and enhancement of the close bonds of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity which unite us.