London, 15 May 2024- Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cuba (APPG) and other friends of the island in the British Parliament received Ambassador Ismara Mercedes Vargas Walter yesterday, who recently arrived in the UK.
During the cordial exchange, the Cuban diplomat thanked the APPG for its longstanding work on Cuba, in favour of solidarity with the island and against the blockade imposed by the US. In particular, she recalled the support of British MPs for the international battle for the release of the Cuban Five and the nomination of the Henry Reeve Medical Brigade for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, as well as the signing of Early Day Motion 1550 (2021) encouraging the Biden administration to normalise relations with Cuba and the open letter to the US Ambassador in London requesting the exclusion of Cuba from the so-called List of State Sponsors of Terrorism.
Precisely in connection with Cuba-US relations, Vargas Walter reiterated the arbitrary and unjust nature of the inclusion on this list, the effects of which continue to be serious for the Cuban people and have a very negative impact on the island's financial relations. ‘We seek a normal and civilised relationship with Washington, but it is essential that it be developed on the basis of respect, equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of our country,’ she said.
APPG Chair Grahame Morris reiterated the Group's commitment to support all initiatives for the lifting of the blockade and to continue the work in favour of relations between Cuba and the United Kingdom.
The event was attended by MPs from the Houses of Commons and Lords, representing the Conservative, Labour, Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru parties as well as independent parliamentarians.
The Ambassador was accompanied by the second secretary for political affairs, Aymée Díaz Negrín.