CARICOM Expects Relations with Cuba to Prosper

Arthur, also the prime minister of Barbados, reaffirmed CARICOM’s commitment to further develop relations with Cuba, first established on December 14, 1972, with Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

The CARICOM chairman mentioned some of the most important achievements reached by Cuba and the Caribbean Community, the most recent of which being the signing in 2005 of the Bridgetown Declaration by all members of CARICOM and Cuba.

He said the CARICOM-Cuba Cultural Cooperation Agreement of December 8, 2005 facilitated a continuation and expansion of the many links which the Community had already forged with Cuba, including cooperation in the areas of health, sports, engineering, education, culture and in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Arthur cited tangible contributions from Cuba to the development of human capital in the region. Under the CARICOM/Cuba Scholarship program, many CARICOM nationals have completed undergraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, he said.

The Community has also established a presence in Cuba with the Trade Facilitation Office, opened by Trinidad and Tobago earlier this year, he noted.

Arthur repeated the gratitude of the CARICOM nations for the concrete actions by Cuba, creating the technical experience in the region in a wide spectrum of fields vitally important to the Community.