By María Josefina Arce
Some 400 Cubans living abroad have gathered in Havana to continue advancing closer and more constructive ties with the land where they were born, which they respect and carry in their hearts.
The Fourth Conference "The Nation and Emigration", which will be held for two days in this capital, is a sign of the commitment of both parties to continue strengthening a necessary, broad and frank dialogue, initiated in the late 1970s and promoted by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.
That memorable meeting in 1978 paved the way for the conferences of April 1994, November 1995 and May 2004.
The current event is attended by a significant number of people who have not been present at previous dialogues, as well as a large number of Cubans living in the country and abroad.
The authorities believe that Cuba is currently experiencing the best moment in its relations with nationals living in other countries. Undoubtedly, these ties will receive a significant boost with this new meeting, said Ernesto Soberon, general director of Consular Affairs and Cubans living abroad.
An example of the interest of the Greater of the Antilles to have a strong and close link with its compatriots is the emotional meeting that President Miguel Díaz Canel held last September in New York City with more than a hundred Cubans living in the United States, during his participation in the high-level segment of the seventy-eighth session of the UN General Assembly.
On that occasion he affirmed that everyone is listened to with respect, even if there are disagreements, while he pointed out that his message was one of unity, patriotism and openness to all those who wish to contribute to the welfare of the Homeland.
In recent times, based on the opinions and suggestions expressed in these meetings, the country has adopted a series of measures aimed at encouraging the participation of its nationals abroad in cultural and socioeconomic processes and thus, continue to consolidate the links.
Now, in this new Conference of the Nation and Emigration, migration issues will be discussed, as well as others related to culture and identity, economic development and investments.
They will be two intense days, full of emotions, in which the youngest, born in other latitudes, will know the land of their ancestors and others will step once again on the soil they love and defend from anywhere in the world.
