MONDAY 8TH APRIL 2024 PAGE 5 Local News Antigua and Barbuda and Cuba celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations last Saturday. In his address to mark the occasion, Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the occasion was ‘a significant milestone’ in the relationship that started back in 1994 between former Prime Minister, Sir Lester Bird and the revolutionary leader and former President of Cuba, Fidel Castro. That decision, according to the prime minister, was motivated by their foresight that the friendship would prove to be resilient and fruitful. “Indeed, our partnership has yielded incalculable benefits for the peoples of Antigua and Barbuda, and Cuba. Cuba has provided over three hundred (300) scholarships to Antiguans and Barbudans, transforming lives, and harnessing the potential of youth in key areas such as health, engineering, sports, education and culture,” he noted. PM Browne also spoke to the value of Cuban scholarships. “Cuban scholarships became a gateway to higher education for many, bolstering human resource development, and preparing the workforce for a rapidly changing environment. In addition, Cuba has improved access to comprehensive, quality healthcare services in Antigua and Barbuda through its Medical Brigade. Operation Miracle, a joint initiative between Cuba and Venezuela, allowed Antiguans and Barbudans to receive free surgeries and treatment for a wide array of ocular conditions,” he observed. Also delivering an address to mark the occasion was Foreign Affairs Minister, E.P Chet Greene, who pointed to the scores of Cuban healthcare technicians helping to bolster the healthcare delivery system in Antigua and Barbuda. Despite its limited resources, Cuba has been one of the first countries to respond to Antigua and Barbuda in times of natural disasters. “Cuba has always been a ‘first responder’ to crises and catastrophes such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and the COVID-19 pandemic, through the provision of swift emergency assistance, despite the imposition of decades-long embargo,” he stated. He said Antigua and Barbuda will continue working alongside Cuba to tackle global challenges such as climate change as well as jointly striving to overcome developmental hurdles.
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EmbaCuba Antigua y Barbuda