Port of Spain, February 24th 2016 - The Minister of Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Trinidad and Tobago, Dennis Moses, spoke in favor of strengthening relations between Cuba and his country during celebrations for the 57th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution and the 40th anniversary of the 1976 Constitution.
This reception took place at the new embassy of Cuba headquarters in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago.
Other important Government and Legislative figures of Trinidad and Tobago were present at the event, including Mr. Edmund Dillon, Minister of National Security, the Deputy Speaker of the House and the Vice President of the Senate, the honorable Esmond Forde and the honourable Nigel de Freitas, respectively, as well as the President of the Caribbean Court of Justice. They were also accompanied by leading figures of the socio-political life of the Caribbean country such as entrepreneurs, leaders of organizations, directors of various institutions and representatives of the Cuban medical and sports brigades, as well as members of the community of Cuban residents, members of the press, among others.
During his speech, Minister Moses highlighted the historical relations of friendship that have characterized the ties between both peoples and governments, as well as the highly valued cooperation provided by Cuba to the nation of Trinidad and Tobago for several years in the fields of public health and sports.
During his speech, Cuban Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Guillermo Vazquez Moreno, considered it appropriate to remember and acknowledge the fact that more than four decades ago, four Caribbean countries (Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago), courageously and in a sovereign manner, established diplomatic relations with Cuba and began the gradual process of other Caribbean establishing relations nations with our country.
The Cuban diplomat also reviewed by means of facts and figures, the collaboration of both governments in various sectors of their bilateral relationship, which was classified as part of what he called "the necessary Latin American and Caribbean integration." The moment was opportune to thank Trinidad and Tobago for their continued support in Cuba´s international struggle for the definitive lifting of the blockade against the island.
The evening included a donation of a ¨steelpan¨, - Trinidad and Tobago´s traditional musical instrument - to Cuba by authorities of a flagship school in the Trinidad and Tobago´s Capital - Sucess Laventille Secondary School. It was a symbolic gesture that served to highlight the friendly relations that have united our peoples and governments for decades. The instrument, with its inscription, now occupies a special corner of the new Cuban embassy in Trinidad and Tobago´s capital.
More than 200 guests participated in the activity. There was also a performance by a Cuban violinist, who is a member of the medical brigade that was widely received.