CUBA, January 27 -- The excellent bilateral relations uniting Suriname and Cuba were highlighted by the Foreign Minister of that South American country, Lygia Kraag-Keteldijk. In her statements to Granma newspaper, the minister, who recently visited the island, said that the diplomatic ties existing between the two nations, established on March 23, 1979, are characterized by “solidarity, mutual respect and cooperation.” With regard to the opening of Suriname’s embassy in Havana on January 15, she expressed: "Cuba reopened its diplomatic mission in my country in 2006. Then, it was my government’s turn to decide the establishment of its embassy here.” She added that this step allowed that nation to fulfil the objective of implementing “our policy of prioritizing integration and cooperation in the region.” The minister also pointed out that she attaches high value to the existing close relations of cooperation, which she exemplified with the reactivation of the Suriname-Cuba Joint Commission in 2006, which has contributed to the devising of cooperation programs in various spheres. Kraag-Keteldijk acknowledged all that Cuba can contribute, in spite of the multiple obstacles imposed on the island by the US blockade against the island, a policy that her country has historically condemned in different regional and international forums. The FM wished the Cuban people and government a lot of success in their efforts to boost progress in this new year. (Cubaminrex - RHC) |