Ottawa, January 30, 2020 - This Thursday night, the Cuban Embassy in Canada, together with representatives of the Canadian government, parliament and First Nations, members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the country, businessmen, academics, journalists, Cuban residents and friends of solidarity celebrated the 61st anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution (January 1st, 1959) and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Canada (March 16th, 1945).
The Cuban Ambassador, Josefina Vidal, recounted the main milestones in bilateral relations, especially in the last 60 years, which have witnessed a sustained strengthening of diplomatic and economic ties, and an increase in contacts between the two peoples. She recalled, in particular, the relevant place that Canada occupies in our foreign relations, as the first issuer of tourists to Cuba, second foreign investor, fourth trade partner and one of the main sources of cooperation projects.
On the other hand, she referred to the challenges Cuba has had to face in the last year, mainly due to the tightening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade by the United States, which has adopted unprecedented measures due to their level of aggressiveness and scope, with the aim of suffocating the economy, depriving it of vital income. She thanked business organizations, solidarity groups and associations of Cubans residing in this country for supporting Cuba in its fight against the blockade, and also the Canadian government for its vote in favor of the Cuban Resolution at the United Nations General Assembly and for defending the legitimate right of its companies to trade and invest on the Island.
The Head of the Cuban diplomatic mission in Canada highlighted how, in the midst of these difficult circumstances, Cuba has not been paralyzed, but mobilized itself with the decisive support of the population, the economy was able to exhibit modest - but meritorious - growth, and progress continued to be made in the institutionalization of the country in accordance with the provisions of the new Constitution of the Republic approved by popular referendum.
The Ambassador concluded her remarks by stating: "As in the past, once again Cuba will resist and win, and nothing will divert us from the path of building a country that is increasingly just, inclusive, prosperous, free and democratic; a country that continues to care about the welfare of its people and other peoples beyond its borders, for the care of the common environment and for a stable and peaceful world.
Robert Oliphant MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the positive relations that have existed historically between the two nations, their future perspectives and the importance of the ties for both: "We count on Cuba's friendship as much as Cuba counts on ours; this friendship goes both ways and when we are about to celebrate 75 years of history, we recognize that Canada has gained as much as Cuba; Canada has gained a partner in the hemisphere,... an important partner for stability". In addition, he acknowledged that Cuba is not only a fundamental economic partner for his country, but also a cultural and social one, mentioning the close bond between our peoples.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota; Members of Parliament, Fayçal El-Khoury, Elizabeth May, Paul Manly, Gord Johns and Harold Albrecht; Senators Peter Boehm and Stan Kutcher; and the Assistant Deputy Minister for the Americas at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Michael Grant attended the reception.
Embassy of Cuba in Canada