Distinguished delegates and special guests and other representatives of the delegations present: Cuba welcomes you to the XXII Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Association of Caribbean States, at which time the Caribbean countries meet again in Havana to Dialogue about our common interests and the risks we face in a shared way. We will review the progress of the implementation of the agreements of the VII Summit of the Association, held in Havana on June 4, 2016. At that meeting, our heads of State and Government, motivated by the commitment to this organization And determined to strengthen their role as a platform for political dialogue, consultation and cooperation, adopted the Havana Declaration and Plan of Action, which are valuable tools for advancing the objectives we have set ourselves. Important changes have occurred in the global landscape since then that have a significant impact on our region. As President Raul Castro Ruz recently expressed at the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in the Dominican Republic "It has never been more necessary to effectively march along the path of unity, recognizing that we have many common interests. Working for "unity in diversity is an urgent need."
The exclusionary and repressive migration policies announced in destination countries that could lead to greater deportations and discrimination against Latin American and Caribbean migrants, as well as the application of extremely protectionist measures in commercial matters, are real challenges for our subregion. All of this could seriously affect the development models of our countries, because of their impact on the generation of jobs, income, industry and commerce.
Faced with the walls that are now wishing to rise, our choice must remain that of unity, solidarity and complementarity, for the sake of defending the most legitimate interests of our peoples. In the current scenario we face, that can only be achieved if we articulate and effectively coordinate our actions around the consensus reached in these areas during the last Summit VII. In that sense, we must strengthen the possibilities of our Association to build a joint response.
Our governments have the duty and the responsibility "in the construction of just, equitable, human-centered and inclusive societies", as reiterated by our Heads of State and Government, to advance Latin American and Caribbean unity and integration, such as Our heroes dreamed. It is essential that we continue to make progress in consolidating the Association. The postulates of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace are guiding principles for relations between our States.
Commitments not to intervene, directly or indirectly, in the internal affairs of any other State and to observe the principles of national sovereignty, equal rights and self-determination of peoples; To practice tolerance and coexist in peace, and to fully respect the inalienable right of every State to choose its political, economic, social and cultural system, are indispensable conditions for peace, harmony, development and integration of our countries .
Comrade President, Dear Ministers, Distinguished Secretary General:
Almost four years ago, at the V Summit of Pétion Ville, our Heads of State and Government decided to initiate a process of revitalization, with the purpose of making the Association of Caribbean States a more dynamic and functional organism in our interests. This was confirmed at the Summits of Mexico in 2014 and Havana in 2016.
The revitalization process can not be reduced to the mere modification of structures, budgets and mechanisms of operation but above all to cover a wider horizon in the revision of the role that the ACS should play in the current circumstances. We must undertake this effort with a comprehensive approach that updates, in accordance with the principles and objectives enshrined in its Articles of Agreement, the policies, conceptions and ways of doing that have determined the functioning of the organization and which our Heads of State indicated Review in accordance with paragraph 37 of the Havana Declaration.
In that context, we are optimistic about the increasing action of Member States to strengthen the ACS, as well as the contribution of the Associate Members and the increase in the number of Observers and the participation of both, especially in fostering cooperation and In the approach to the needs of the Caribbean.
In relation to cooperation, we must be creative in the ways of developing it within the Association, while promoting international cooperation towards the Caribbean Basin, in the priority areas of common interest.
The economic difficulties that hinder trade and investment in key areas such as transport, tourism, among others, force us to find novel and feasible solutions. In this sense, it is necessary to search for and manage resources that allow the programs and projects that were established as priorities in the Plan of Action for the period 2016-2018 to be taken into action.
In that spirit, the First Conference of Cooperation of the Association of Caribbean States was convened. This has been an exploratory exercise of new forms of management of financial and technological resources for the implementation of the cooperation programs of our Association.
The Caribbean can always count on Cuba. Our country will continue to defend in the regional and international forums the legitimate interests of the Caribbean nations, deserving of the gratitude of our people and government, for the solidarity and courageous support that they have offered us at all times.
I could not end without expressing my appreciation for the signs of solidarity and affection offered to the people and government of Cuba by our Latin American and Caribbean brothers, following the physical disappearance of the Commander of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.
I wish to express the tribute of Cuba and our Association to the President of Haiti, René Preval, we will always remember him as a leader of the Caribbean and as a friend of Cuba.
Loyal to the legacy of our heroes, Cuba renews its commitment to the Association of Caribbean States and reaffirms its willingness to continue working towards regional integration.
Thank you very much.