Havana, November 18 (RHC) -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel participates this Saturday in the inauguration of the IV Conference The Nation and Emigration, at the Havana Convention Palace.

During the weekend, some 400 participants from 50 countries will discuss the links with their nation of origin and the prospects of that relationship, as well as migration issues and others related to culture and identity, economic development and investment.

This fourth edition of the Conference, postponed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, resumes the contacts that have made it possible to strengthen ties between Cuba and its compatriots in recent years.

According to the general director of Consular Affairs and Cubans Residing Abroad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the island, Ernesto Soberón, the event has the peculiarity that once it concludes, attendees will be able to socialize its results with those who could not attend.

Cuba advocates the strengthening of ties with its nationals living in other countries in order to defend its sovereignty, and promotes policies that encourage greater participation of these in the processes of cultural and socioeconomic development taking place on the island.

As a result of these efforts, extensive ties have been forged in recent years; as of July 1, 2023, measures such as the reduction of consular fees and the extension of the validity of ordinary Cuban passports from six to 10 years came into effect.

This IV Conference coincides with the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the first of these dialogues, which took place in 1978, and with the recent holding of the second Cuba Goes With Me cultural festival, which was attended by dozens of Cuban artists and intellectuals living abroad. (Source:PL)