Canberra, June 6 (RHC)-- The Australia-Cuba Friendship Society and the Southern Cross Brigade, the only one of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, were awarded the 60th-anniversary commemorative seal of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).

Representatives of both entities received the distinction from the hands of Cuba's Ambassador in Australia, Ariel Lorenzo, who praised the contribution and solidarity actions and its people by both organizations for more than 40 years and even amid the most challenging circumstances.

Lorenzo also praised the efforts of several generations of Australians to promote cooperation projects in schools and children's hospitals in his country and the management of donations for the benefit of the Cuban population.

The support for Cuba's demands against the intensified U.S. blockade also has historical roots in the Australian solidarity movement, which also spoke out for the return of the territory occupied by the illegal U.S. naval base in Guantanamo and accompanied the battle for the return of the Five Heroes, he said.

Referring to the Cruz del Sur Brigade, the diplomat said that their solidarity work all these years allowed them to visit and know the reality of the island closely and contribute and be an active subject that promotes volunteer work and labor effort with the Cuban people.

Beyond geographical distances, he remarked, the Brigade brings us closer as peoples with similar aspirations and struggles.

Representatives of the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Albury, Adelaide, and Newcastle thanked ICAP for the recognition granted.

They assured that they would continue to promote actions of solidarity with Cuba and against the illegal U.S. blockade, which causes so much harm to its people.