In the panel discussion that was the focus of the activity organized by the Embassy of Cuba in Barbados to pay tribute to the 43 Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Barbados as well as the historical ties between Cuba and CARICOM, eminent guest speakers, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Dr. Tennyson Joseph and Ambassador Robert Morris, focused these fruitful relationships from different angles. Preceded by speeches of the Barbadian Foreign Minister, Hon. Maxine Mc Clean, and Cuban Ambassador, Francisco Fernandez, the productive exchange was characterized by the active participation of the distinguished audience, being closed by Dr. Don Marshall, Director of the Institute of Economic and Social studies "Sir Arthur Lewis" of the University of the West Indies.
Sir Shridath Ramphal began the presentations and in his capacity as one of the protagonists of the negotiating process, highlighted the events which were necessary to realize in those difficult circumstances of the Cold War in 1972, the concerted action of the leaders Errol Barrow, Erick Williams Michael Manley and Forbes Burnham, who in a visionary and courageous act broke the isolation that came imposing US against Cuba.
The Barbadian Ambassador to Caricom, Robert Morris, in addition to addressing the regional historical context that increasingly has become favorable for the interaction between Caribbean governments, outlined several ideas to raise levels of cooperation with Cuba and take advantage of its excellent human capital developed under a socialist system, stimulating the policies better and better concerted in the new scenario in order to generate business between Cuban enterprises and the rest of the Caribbean, which would be the ideal way to take advantage of those strengths for the common development of our subregion .
The noted scholar, Dr. Tennyson Joseph, addressed the challenges and opportunities of these ties and called for the Caribbean set more in the Cuban socialist model that has proven survivability with sovereignty against nearly six decades of jamming and for example it is accounting for Caribbean society in confronting this protracted international economic crisis. He submitted for the consideration of the audience several ideas on how the Caribbean should be more determined to stimulate relations with Cuba and not fall behind other countries being even less friendly toward the Cuban Revolution in the past, now rush to be first to hold positions and develop business.
Dr. Don Marshall, in closing the event highlighted the significance of the Cuban Revolution for the region, with some figures showed the harmful effects of the US blockade against the island, but also the concepts and principles that Cuba has managed to leave forward. Among other areas, the remarkable academic highlighted the benefits that the region would take advantage of the educational, cultural and scientific heritage cultivated by Cuba.