Havana, Jul 17, 2006. (ACN) Frederick A. Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service of Bahamas, begins an official visit to Cuba at the invitation of his local counterpart, Felipe Perez Roque. During his visit, the Bahamas Foreign Minister will open an embassy for his country in Havana. Among those joining Mitchell on his visit to Cuba are Melanie Griffin, Minister of Social Services and Community Development; parliament members Tennyson Wells, Keod Smith and Whitney Bastian; the standing secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Patricia Rodgers; and the Bahamian ambassador to Cuba, Carlton Wright. The visit takes place within the framework of open bilateral relations based on the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that characterize ties between Cuba and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Diplomatic relations between Cuban and Bahamas were established in November, 1974. Bahamas and Cuba are both members of the Association of Caribbean States and the Non-Aligned Movement, which is holding its 14th Summit in Havana this September. |