– in message to IV CARICOM-Cuba summit
THE Guyana Government, under the new President Donald Ramotar, is continuing the lobby for the inclusion of Cuba in the affairs of the hemisphere and believes that handing over the chairmanship of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in 2013 to the Spanish speaking island would be fitting. The Head of State made this call in a message to the IV CARICOM-Cuba Summit that began yesterday at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Guyana is represented at the summit by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues- Birkett, and Director General in the Ministry, Elisabeth Harper.
President Ramotar’s message was read by Minister Rodrigues-Birkett.
The 33 foreign ministers who gathered for the inaugural summit of CELAC in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 1, voted unanimously for Cuba to host the 2013 summit.
Guyana’s “excellent” relationship with Cuba was echoed by President Ramotar, including the Government’s firm stand on the lifting of the “unjust economic, trade and financial embargo against Cuba.”
During the opening session of the Fifth Summit of the Americas in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, in April, 2009, United States President Barack Obama had promised to end the 47-year-old embargo which the U.S. held against the island.
The promise, which also included easing travel restrictions and allowing remittances to flow to Cuba, came as President Obama held talks with a delegation of regional heads led by former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
President Ramotar said in his message, that the two-day summit will provide the opportunity to review the existing programme of cooperation between CARICOM and Cuba, and acknowledge the proposals made by Cuba that can give added impetus to the two countries’ relations.
“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.  My government is especially grateful to the government and people of Cuba for the selfless and valuable contribution to the development of our country and to the welfare of its people,” President Ramotar said.
Yesterday was designated CARICOM-Cuba Day, marking 39 years since Guyana, along with Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, established diplomatic relations with Cuba.