Vice-Minister Orlando Requeijo Gual, Ambassador Andrés González Garrido, Members of the Cuban Delegation, Members of the Surinamese delegation, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure for me to address you at the opening of the Third Joint Commission Meeting between the Republic of Suriname and the Republic of Cuba. I take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to the Cuban delegation and express my wish for a pleasant and productive stay in Suriname. Of course I also welcome the Surinamese delegation. Allow me, also on behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Suriname, to congratulate the Government and People of the Republic of Cuba with the election of His Excellency Raúl Castro as Head of State of the Republic of Cuba. Through you, Mr. Vice-Minister, I convey our wish for a successful term of office to the new President. Please convey our best wishes to the former President, Mr. Fidel Castro Ruz. At the beginning of this Third Meeting of the Joint Commission, I want to express my satisfaction with the fact that our bilateral relations have intensified and enhanced over the past years. Programs for cooperation in various areas, such as health, education, culture, sports, agriculture and energy, have contributed to better equip ourselves to achieve sustainable development and promote the welfare of our peoples. The successful implementation of several existing programs and the identification of new areas of cooperation are a testimony of the effectiveness of this Joint Commission. The presence of representatives of government institutions as well as representatives of the private sector at this meeting proves that there is room for the further expansion of bilateral cooperation. The tasks of the Joint Commission include not only the exchange of technical expertise, but also looking for ways and means to intensify bilateral trade. I am of the view that a number of possibilities may be explored, for instance the establishment of a framework for bilateral cooperation between the Cuban Centre for promotion of Foreign Trade and its Surinamese counterpart. Mr. Vice Minister, the relations between Cuba and Suriname are not limited to the bilateral level only. Also as a member of Caricom, the Republic of Suriname maintains an excellent relation of cooperation with Cuba on issues, which are of interest to the Caribbean. Many of those issues are already on the multilateral agenda; however, through concerted action with such countries as Cuba, issues like the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean may also be addressed properly. Mr. Vice-Minister, allow me to take this moment, also on behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Suriname, to extend our appreciation to the Government and People of the Republic Cuba for the continuation of a fruitful cooperation. I am looking forward to a mutually convenient moment to continue the political dialogue with my Cuban counterpart on issues which are of relevance to us. In closing, Mr.Vice-Minister, Madam Permanent Secretary, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish you all a productive discussion and a successful meeting. I thank you.(Cubaminrex-Embacuba Suriname). |