Georgetown: There is a large Cuban brigade in Guyana and there is substantial interaction through CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] and other regional bodies, but Guyana has always benefited from the historic friendship which has matured to the highest level.
This is according to President of the Guyana Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM), Haleem Khan during his recent discussions at a cocktail reception held in honor of Vice Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba, Hon. Rogelio Sierra Diaz, at the official residence of Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Narciso Reinaldo Armador Soeorro at Enachu Street, in Campbellville, Georgetown.
“We will continue to collaborate. We have always supported Cuba and the removal of the blockade. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972, we have witnessed the maturity of our relationship and development in many sectors,” Khan explained.
On Wednesday evening Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo attended the cocktail reception along with Ministers of Government, members of the Opposition, Diplomatic Corps and other special invitees.
The Vice Foreign Minister who wrapped up his two-day state visit to Guyana on Wednesday hailed Guyana as one of the Caribbean countries with which Cuba enjoys the highest level of cooperation.
“It is also a longstanding cooperation because the first batch of doctors (Cuban-trained) arrived 43 years ago and so we can also say it is one of the oldest cooperation Cuba has with any other nation,” he noted.
The Cuba/Guyana medical relations, the Vice Foreign Minister said, plays an important role in the further strengthening of ties between the two countries.
The Cuban Minister referenced the fact that there are presently over 200 Cuban-trained medical personnel working in eight of the ten administrative regions of Guyana at the district and regional public health institutions.
He described this as an “important force” for the local health services.
In this regard, Minister Diaz said that the two governments are in discussions to see how best the health cooperation, which exists between the two countries, can be improved for mutual benefit.
“We are happy to be present in Guyana in medical cooperation. We are in this position of making this arrangement more efficient in the interests of both of our nations and for this reason, both of the governments are in contact to improve this arrangement. We are also in the position of strengthening the collaboration in whatever area you may have needs. I believe it is very important to remain united and work together,” the Cuban Deputy Minister said.
During his official visit, Diaz met with President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and officials from the Public Health Ministry, where Cuba’s disposition of providing support, as far as possible, was restated.
The Cuban minister also paid homage to the victims of the Cubana Air Disaster with the laying of a wreath at the Monument to the Victims of Terrorism at the University of Guyana campus. He also paid a visit to the Centre for the Stimulation of Children, Adolescents and Youth with Special Educational Needs Associated with Disabilities at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).
As part of his Caribbean tour, the Vice Minister also visited Trinidad, Barbados, Suriname and his next stop is Jamaica.
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