Nicosia, Cyprus. - On the morning of November 25, the Cuban Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, Angel Gustavo Suárez Cordero, had an important meeting with Dr. Helena Panayiotopoulou, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, at the institution's headquarters.
Ambassador Suárez Cordero presented a comprehensive overview of the significant progress made by the Cuban biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, underscoring the island's impressive scientific advancements in this key area. He particularly highlighted Cuba's development of its own COVID-19 vaccines, marking it as the first Latin American country to do so, along with advanced treatments for cancer, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
The Ambassador pointed out that these remarkable scientific feats were achieved despite the harsh and long-standing economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed on Cuba, which has lasted over six decades and adversely impacts the Cuban people, as well as restricts access to necessary raw materials, technology, and other critical resources for the industry.
Dr. Panayiotopoulou expressed a keen interest in the Cuban biotechnology infrastructure, including Havana's scientific complex, and the potential for initiating reciprocal knowledge-sharing in the pharmaceutical domain between the two nations.
The meeting was conducted in a friendly and productive manner, establishing a foundation for prospective health sector cooperation between Cuba and Cyprus (EmbaCuba Cyprus).