https://www.alanba.com.kw/.../exclusi.../1131141/21-07-2022/
Traducción No Oficial del idioma árabe
Hosted by: Osama Diab
• Cuban-Kuwaiti relations are excellent, friendly and intrinsically positive, we hope to hold political consultations between the two countries before the end of this year.
• I thank my colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait for their unlimited support in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
• The Kuwait Fund for Arab Development supports social programs and infrastructure projects in Cuba.
• Lifting some sanctions on Cuba from the US is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough to alleviate the suffering of our people.
• Kuwaiti diplomacy is professional and an example of professionalism, expressing the civilized face of Kuwait and its adherence to international law.
Hosted by: Osama Diab
The Ambassador of Cuba in the country, José Luis Noriega Sánchez, affirmed the strength of Cuban-Kuwaiti relations, which he considers an example in relations between countries for being built on solid foundations of friendship, trust and mutual respect, expressing his hope of that political consultations between the two countries will take place before the end of this year.
Ambassador Noriega revealed that the Kuwait Fund for Arab Development supports social programs and infrastructure projects in Cuba, and asked Kuwaiti investors to discover various opportunities to invest in Cuba in various fields such as oil, gas, agriculture and tourism, and praised the remarkable demand of Kuwaitis to visit Cuba as a tourist destination, explaining that the visa process is easy and does not take more than 3 days.
He pointed out that the US blockade against Cuba celebrated its sixth decade last February, and stressed that the lifting of some sanctions against Cuba is a step on the right path, but it is not enough to alleviate the suffering of the people of Cuba. the. Following are the details:
What are the most notable developments in Kuwaiti-Cuban relations?
Cuban-Kuwaiti relations are excellent, friendly and essentially positive, and are considered an example in bilateral relations between countries.
Indeed, our relations with Kuwait are constantly developing and with a consistent approach at all levels and various fields of cooperation. At the political level, we have continuous cooperation and consultation and exchange of support in international forums, especially as the two countries share common visions on many issues in the regional and international arena such as the Palestinian and climate change.
I would like to thank my colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait for their unlimited support in everything that underpins bilateral relations and their constant and continuous communication.
As for economic and commercial relations, I think they are still not very ambitious, and we are working to develop them in proportion to the great potential available in the two friendly countries. As my country's ambassador to Kuwait, I attach the utmost importance to strengthening bilateral relations at all levels to explore new horizons that benefit both friendly peoples.
In the field of health care, it is one of the most prominent areas of bilateral cooperation, as the Corona pandemic showed the strength and durability of our bilateral relationship, and we managed to cooperate with Kuwait effectively during the Corona pandemic. Crown. The visit of the Cuban medical delegation to Kuwait in 2020, which consisted of nearly 300 doctors and nurses who worked hand-in-hand with their fellow Kuwaiti doctors and nurses on the front lines, was praised and appreciated by the Kuwaiti side.
I would like to point out that a good part of the members of this medical delegation that worked in Kuwait are now in Qatar. In general, I believe that the future of this cooperation is fruitful and can benefit both friendly countries.
We hope that the political consultations between the two countries will be held before the end of this year, as an important framework to support and enhance all areas of bilateral cooperation.
positive step
How would you describe the recent US move to lift part of the sanctions imposed on your country?
The US blockade of Cuba completed its sixth decade last February, becoming the longest siege in human history on a small country with a population of just 11 million.
Everyone knows the magnitude of the economic, commercial and social losses that Cuba has suffered because of them, as well as the endless suffering of the Cuban people.
The administration of former US President Donald Trump imposed 243 additional measures in an attempt to destroy Cuba, but the administration of current President Joe Biden decided to lift just two or three measures out of hundreds imposed on Cuba as part of the embargo.
The relaxation of restrictions has included immigration procedures to the United States for members of the same family, and the administration of the US president has promised to increase the capacity of its diplomats in Havana to process visa applications to travel to the United States, in addition to including remittances where the limit of money that people can send from the United States to Cuba, set at $1,000 every 3 months for each sender/recipient, was eliminated, allowing people to send money to people on the island with whom they do not have family ties, and the United States allowed to increase the number of flights between the United States and Cuba, which would allow flights to other cities outside the capital Havana.
I would also like to emphasize that the lifting of some sanctions against Cuba is a step on the right path, but it is not enough to alleviate the suffering of the Cuban people, since the embargo is still in place.
Likewise, the entire world condemns the unjust blockade against Cuba and demands its lifting, but the US insistence continues, and the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles witnessed that Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela were not invited.
How did the Cuban people receive the US decisions?
The Cuban people are educated and aware, and that is why they realize that this step requires others and will only settle for the lifting of the unjust embargo and the end of the unjust sanctions against our country.
Especially because we face the Corona pandemic with our chests open and the United States did not send us a single pill and despite the difficult conditions imposed by the unjust blockade on Cuba, which is a great obstacle to the purchase of medical supplies, Cuba managed produce 5 Corona vaccines. In general, we have been able to control the virus and limit its spread and things are very stable in Cuba.
Cuba was one of the first countries to vaccinate children as young as two years old and now we are sending Cuban vaccines to Iran, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Mexico and Vietnam.
What are the most important ways to support and enhance Kuwaiti investments in Cuba?
Cuba, although suffering from the consequences of the blockade that has been imposed for 60 years, is a country that enjoys great potential and diverse and encouraging opportunities for investment, it is a fertile land to invest in various fields such as oil, gas, agriculture and tourism.
We have already managed to attract many foreign direct investments, thanks to the efforts made by the Cuban government, such as the establishment of economic and investment forums to present the opportunities available in our country.
There is great potential for Kuwaiti investors, whom I invite to discover Cuba as a distinguished investment destination.
Tell us what are the main features of the cooperation with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Development?
I would like to emphasize the importance of the role played by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in helping the world, as one of the many bright spots for Kuwait's foreign policy. The fund supports social programs and infrastructure projects in Cuba and has a great humanitarian impact on the lives of the people of our country.
What about the most prominent agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries?
We have a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding that guide bilateral relations between the two countries and that cover various fields of bilateral cooperation, such as the visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic, official, service and special passports, the agreement to support cooperation in health, cooperation in the field, economic, commercial, cultural, academic and educational, there are no more than 6 agreements and a memorandum of understanding, but here the lesson is not the number of agreements or memorandums of understanding, but the ease of communication between the two countries, in fact, we have distinguished and direct communication with Kuwait.
Are there high-level visits that you are organizing these days?
We have invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al Sabah to visit Cuba, and we will also extend the invitation to the President of the National Assembly, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, and we are waiting for a date for the visits to be established in a Next future.
How do you rate the participation of Kuwaitis in visiting Cuba as a tourist destination? How long does it take to issue a Cuban visa?
There is a notable demand from Kuwaitis to visit Cuba as a tourist destination this year, compared to previous years. Cuba enjoys great tourism potential and a unique culture and Kuwaitis are very welcome.
The Cuban visa procedures are easy and simplified, whether for Kuwaitis or residents, and its issuance does not take more than 3 business days. The tourist visa allows its holder to reside in Cuba for one month and can be renewed for another month. As for those who have a commercial visa, they can stay in Cuba for 6 months.
What are the salient features of Kuwaiti diplomacy? How do you evaluate the cooperation of your colleagues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with you?
Kuwaiti diplomacy is highly professional as it is the product of an old school and expresses the civilized face of Kuwait and its adherence to international principles and foundations of international law. It is a diplomacy that believes in peaceful solutions and dialogue as an alternative tool to deal with crises and their distinctive features.
Kuwait is also a key player in supporting the security and stability of the region and the whole world is aware of this concept and deals with Kuwait through it, and that Kuwait has a prominent humanitarian role that was and continues to be praised by the international community. Sabah Al-Ahmad, Prince of Humanity.
Who are Cuba's friends in the Arab region?
We have strong relations with the Arab world, and I can describe those relations as historic. In 1961, Cuba was the first country to send an integrated medical mission to Algeria. We also had strong relations with Egypt under the leadership of the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Strengthen cooperation and promote mutual protection of investments.
There are bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding signed to enhance cooperation between Kuwait and Cuba, in particular the Agreement on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments, the Agreement for the Prevention of Double Taxation between the two countries and a joint memorandum of understanding in the field of health services that includes establishing mechanisms for the development of projects, programs and cooperation activities in the field of health, and promoting the exchange of experiences in areas of common interest, such as health management, primary health care , family medicine, secondary health care in hospitals, chronic diseases and their complications, repair of eye defects, vaccination, promotion of mental health, scientific medical research of common interest and exchange of academic and health experiences.
special friendships
The Cuban Ambassador to the country, José Luis Noriega Sánchez, praised the Kuwaiti people, whom he described as kind, generous and hospitable, explaining that Kuwait is a country that accommodates everyone with its distinctive culture and unique diversity in Kuwait.
a small community
The Cuban ambassador to the country, José Luis Noriega Sánchez, affirmed that the Cuban community in Kuwait is small, since it does not exceed 50 people, but it is a qualitative and trained community, the vast majority of which are doctors and nurses who provide cooperation services .
The most outstanding tourist places in Cuba are characterized by the combination of a picturesque nature and a rich ancient heritage, so that the tourist finds in it everything he is looking for in terms of entertainment, education and healing.
Cayo Coco Island: Located on the north coast of Cuba, this island is a nature reserve, where there are wild animals and coral reefs, it is also possible to practice diving, as well as caves and archaeological sites. The island has many beaches with soft white sand and turquoise blue waters, and is famous for its coconut palms.
There are resorts and hotels on the island that provide recreational services such as water skiing, diving, and concerts, including Hotel Continental Cayo Coco, Sol Kaya Coco Resort, and Caribe Beach Resort.
Santiago: One of the most beautiful tourist cities in Cuba, with an important port, and enjoy the picturesque nature between the beaches and the imposing green mountains, as well as historical sites and archaeological museums.
City of Varadero: Varadero is one of the largest resorts in the Caribbean, overlooking 20 km of the Atlantic coast, it is also considered one of the nature reserves, with mangrove forests and ancient caves, in addition to the presence of multiple parks and museums.
Trinidad: It is one of the wonderful cities of Cuba that is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Picturesque beaches.
Cayo Santa María: It is one of the islands that is characterized by its wonderful beaches and water sports, one of the most famous beaches on the island is Playa Las Gaviotas, the beach is surrounded by green spaces, the island is also characterized by the presence the Aquarium Dolphinarium complex, which presents shows with dolphins.
Old Havana: Among the most outstanding places in Old Havana are the Military Fort, the San Cristóbal Cathedral and the City Museum.
Cuban Botanical Garden: This garden is one of the most beautiful and picturesque tourist places located on the island of Havana, Cuba, which collects exotic and rare plants from all over the world. In the pond and waterfalls you will see about 3500 species of exotic and wonderful plants of the native species of the island of Havana, Cuba.
Gran Teatro de La Habana: The best and largest opera house, built in 1915 with a distinctive and wonderful architectural design, the opera house has hosted many performances throughout the different eras.
Castillo de los Reyes Magos en el Morro: The castle was built at the end of the 16th century and is located at the entrance to the Gulf of Havana. It should be noted that the castle still maintains its ancient architectural form, and you can see the most beautiful view of the ocean from the upper areas.
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