An atmosphere of deep friendship, solidarity and closeness, as characterizes the close relations of Cuba with the sister nations of the Caribbean, distinguished the meeting on September 17 between the member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) and of the Council of State, and the President of the Senate of Grenada, Dessima Williams, in the National Capitol, institutional headquarters of the supreme body of State power.
«It is a real pleasure to receive you and the distinguished delegation that accompanies you at the institutional headquarters of the National Assembly of People's Power. Your visit takes place within the framework of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations. "Her presence in Cuba will help strengthen interparliamentary ties and collaboration between both nations," said Lazo Hernández, while emphasizing the shared history of solidarity and collaboration between both Caribbean countries.
He stressed the friendship between the revolutionary leaders Fidel Castro and Maurice Bishop, which contributed to the special relationship between the two countries and the permanent will to cultivate and deepen bilateral ties.
On the other hand, Esteban Lazo –on behalf of the Cuban deputies– expressed solidarity with the people of Grenada for the damage caused by the passage of Hurricane Beryl and said that it is our responsibility to continue promoting cooperation mechanisms, strengthen interparliamentary ties and defend Caribbean integration from regional and international parliamentary bodies.
«We appreciate your country's unconditional support for the legitimate demand to end the illegal and unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States Government against Cuba for more than 60 years and against the inclusion of the largest of the Antilles in the spurious list of States that supposedly sponsor terrorism, a position ratified by the Prime Minister of Granada in his statements to the press after concluding his visit to Cuba,» acknowledged the head of the Cuban Parliament.
In his speech, he shared the characteristics of the Cuban political system and of the X Legislature of the National Assembly of People's Power, the intense legislative activity developed after the proclamation of the Constitution of the Republic on April 10, 2019, and other aspects of the current national context.
«The friendship, solidarity and collaboration between our countries are reinforced today with your visit, a sign of the interest in strengthening relations between our Parliaments and giving continuity to the high-level exchange and cooperation ties between Cuba and Grenada,» he concluded.
Dessima Williams reiterated her support for the Cuban people in their struggle to lift the blockade imposed by the US government and her rejection of the inclusion of our country in the spurious list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism.
The President of the Senate of Grenada acknowledged that heroes such as José Martí and Commander in Chief Fidel Castro contributed not only to the history of Cuba, but also to the history and identity of the Caribbean. At the same time, she thanked the Greater Antilles for their solidarity with her nation, in areas such as health and education, among others. "We come to Cuba with the love and respect that Fidel gave to the countries of the Caribbean," she stressed in her words, visibly moved.
On the Cuban side, Homero Acosta Álvarez, secretary of the National Assembly, Rolando González Patricio, president of the International Relations Commission of the Cuban legislature and of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino), also participated in the meeting; Deputy Aylin Justiz, head of the Cuba-Caribbean Parliamentary Friendship Group; among other ANPP International Relations executives.
The distinguished visitor is making an official visit to our country, with an intense work program that includes her participation in the International Seminar on Parliamentary Diplomacy that will be held on September 18 and 19, convened by the Raúl Roa García Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI) and the International Relations Commission of the National Assembly.
(By Enrique Moreno Gimeranez/ Photos:Tony Hernández)