Barbadians newspapers highlighted the greeting stretching from Georgetown Prime Minister of his country, Freundel Stuart, in his capacity as President Pro Tempore of CARICOM to celebrate on December 8 as the day that marks the links between the Caribbean Community and Cuba, since bilaterally it established in 2002 in Havana the First Summit of Heads of State and Government. As both the 43 anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cuba, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago commemorates the dignitary recognized him as a "courageous and symbolic act that has evolved over the years into a fruitful friendship and mutually beneficial" .
In that tradition, the dignitary said that the next Ministerial Meeting scheduled for Havana in June 2016, will give another opportunity for exchange on a wide range of bilateral, hemispheric and global issues that are of mutual interest and concern, along with discussions on areas for further cooperation to strengthen the ties of friendship. He mentioned as an example of economic relations that are expressed through the Agreement on Trade and Cooperation signed in July 2000, updated by the Joint Committee with a view to improving and deepening its implementation.
"CARICOM has been steadfast in his defense that Cuba is integrated into the hemisphere," said Premier to greet the Caribbean support for attendance at the Seventh Summit of the Americas, as well as satisfaction for the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, in which context the Community will continue calling for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against the island. Meanwhile, he said, Cuba has reciprocated by recognizing the positions taken by CARICOM in recent years, even through the generous and significant offers of technical assistance to the sub region in social areas most critical, such as culture, management disaster, agriculture, sports and health.
Recognizing that in these times marked by various global crisis, small and vulnerable Caribbean states continue to face serious challenges, such as the negative effects of natural disasters, the impact of global warming and transnational crime, among others, the President added that "we must continue to work together to address these obstacles and one of the best ways is to speak with one voice in international forums where issues of interest to small island developing States are discussed".
As we celebrate another year of friendship and continuous cooperation, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to extend on behalf of the governments and peoples of the Caribbean Community, their best wishes for the welfare and prosperity of the Government and people of Cuba, reiterating " the collective commitment to strengthening the close ties of friendship, cooperation and solidarity which unite us ".