Taken from Granma newspaper Felipe Perez Roque and Frederick A. Mitchell, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Cuba and the Bahamas, highlighted the excellent ties between their two countries, during official talks held Monday at the venue of the Cuban Foreign Ministry. Relations between the two Caribbean nations were boosted after yesterday’s opening of a Bahamian embassy in Havana. The flag of the Bahamas in hoisted for the first time at the recently inaugurated embassy in Havana. "We believe this is an important step in the relations between our two nations, characterized by respect, friendship and cooperation," said Perez Roque. The foreign minister also noted that the Bahamas is the eighth Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member to establish a diplomatic venue in Havana, and he highlighted that Cuba has a diplomatic presence in 13 CARICOM countries including the Bahamas. Minister Mitchell stated that having an embassy in Havana had been a goal for a long time, because for many years Cuba has provided its support to the Bahamas in the areas of healthcare, education, culture and trade. "We have had a wide reaching scope of contacts and cooperation," he stated. The head of Bahamian diplomacy expressed his gratitude for the way he and the members of his high level delegation were welcomed in Cuba, and sent a salute to Commander-in-chief Fidel Castro. Cuba and the Bahamas have maintained diplomatic ties since November 30, 1974.
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