Montego Bay, July 6 (RHC)-- President Miguel Diaz-Canel has returned home to Cuba after visiting Montego Bay, Jamaica, where he participated as guest in the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

While in Jamaica, Díaz-Canel had a packed agenda that included meetings with the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, as well as with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith.

During the exchange, Prime Minister Andrew Holness extended heartfelt congratulations to Díaz-Canel on his new role as head of state of the Republic of Cuba and expressed deep gratitude of behalf of the Jamaican government and people for Cuba's cooperation, particularly in education, health and energy.

Prime Minister Holness indicated that greater levels of partnership can be forged in energy security and the transitioning of heavy fuel oils.  The leaders also expressed interest in collaborating on issues of solar energy and agro-processing in the future.

For his part, the Cuban president thanked Jamaica for its friendship over the years.  He said that Cuba is eternally grateful to Jamaica for the bold gesture in 1972, when the sister Caribbean nation established diplomatic relations with Cuba, when other countries in the hemisphere and the world did not recognize the Revolution and the ferocious imperial siege was felt with all its might.

Also on the sidelines of the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, president Diaz-Canel held talks with Haitian President Jovenel Moise, the outgoing President pro tempore of CARICOM.

The dialogue focused on bilateral collaboration, namely joint water projects, renovation of the airport at Cape Haitian and the granting of scholarships for young Haitians to study in Cuba.

Díaz-Canel highlighted its continued support for Haiti and renewed also Cuba's pledge to continue contributing to Haiti's development.

Other activities of the Cuban leader in Jamaica included also a working lunch with the Caribbean leaders, during which an exchange took place on key issues affecting the region. President Díaz-Canel reiterated Cuba's solidarity with its Caribbean sister nations, as well as its commitment to reinforcing ties in all possible sectors. He also conveyed a message of friendship from Cuba's Communist Party leader, Raul Castro.

During his stay, the Cuban leader also met with Cuban professionals offering their services in Jamaica, under existing cooperation programs.