Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister reiterates interest in improved relations with the United Kingdom
Based on an article from Granma | Friday, 5 October 2018 | Click here for original article
Ana Teresita González, Deputy Foreign Minister and H. E. Teresita Vicente, Cuban Ambassador, meet with CSC Executive Committee members
The Deputy Foreign Minister met with the Cuba Solidarity Campaign during her UK visit
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Ana Teresita González spoke September 27 in London, alongside David Maxim Triesman, a member of the House of Lords since 2004, and co-chairman of the Cuba Initiative.
The Cuba Initiative was founded more than 20 years ago, as one of the three membership organisations of the Caribbean Council, “in response to a request from the Governments of the United Kingdom and Cuba for an independent, bi-lateral, non-governmental body able to support and develop programmes that enhance the UK/Cuban relationship,” according to the Caribbean Council website.
The Cuba Initiative fosters a closer economic, trade and investment relationship, to deliver a sustained increase in trade and investment in all sectors.
During the exchange, with the participation of other members of the organization, González expressed the interest to continue deepening bilateral economic relations, friendship and cooperation ties between Cuba and the UK.
She stressed that Cuba’s Foreign Investment Law and the establishment of the Mariel Special Zone of Development (ZEDM) provide greater opportunities for progress in economic/commercial relations.
The Cuban official also tweeted about the meeting, which she described as useful, and reiterated the commitment to continue developing and promoting economic/commercial relations and investment.
González also toured the Palace of Westminster with Lord Triesman and Cuban Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teresita Vicente Sotolongo.
As part of this stop of her tour of European and Central Asian nations, the diplomat also spoke with Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The two officials highlighted the mutual will to advance ties.
The day before, the Deputy Foreign Minister met with Rob Miller, director of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) and members of CSC's Executive Committee at Unite the Union's London and Eastern regional office and expressed her gratitude for their efforts in support of the island.
The next stop of the Deputy Minister’s tour will be Iceland, followed by Ireland. She previously visited Belarus, Georgia, Poland, Turkey and Uzbekistan, where she likewise noted the excellent ties with Cuba and the will to extend them.
(With information from Prensa Latina)
