Funafuti, March 29 – In a ceremony held in the Government House in this capital, the Governor General, Sir. Iakoba Taeia Italeli, received the letters of credentials of the new Ambassador of Cuba, Mario Alzugaray. During the meeting, the Tuvaluan leader expressed its gratitude for the assistance that Cuba has offered to his country over the last decade, highlighting the presence of Cuban doctors in this island of the Pacific, as a determining factor in the raise of the health standards of its people. Taeia Italeli also expressed its appreciation for the social achievements of our country, in the midst of difficult conditions marked by the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States.
The stay of the Cuban diplomat, who exercises his functions concurrently from New Zealand, was conducive to hold other meetings with the highest authorities of Tuvalu. After presenting his credentials, he was received by the Prime Minister, Hon. Enele Sosene Sopoaga; Vice Premier and Minister of finance, Hon. Maatia Toafa; Foreign Minister Hon. Taukelina Finikaso, as well as by the speaker of the Parliament and the Ministers of education and health.
During the meeting with the head of Government, it was possible to observe his high rating for the successes of Cuban diplomacy and the support of the authorities of Tuvalu to the respect for the sovereignty and the right to self-determination of the Cuban people. Foreing Minister Finikaso, for his part, reiterated his country's readiness to continue strengthening collaboration and coordination on issues of common interest in the multilateral sphere.
On the occasion of this visit, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Temate Melitiana, presided over with a group of members of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister, a welcoming ceremony, which served to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which took place in April 2006.