Italy's ambassador to Cuba, Roberto Vellano, participates in the delivery of supplies for the HAB.AMA project.   Photo: IPS Cuba Archive

By Roberto Morejón

Collaboration in health and agricultural production stand out among the new work objectives of Cuba and Italy, for the benefit of both peoples.

Four thriving European solidarity organizations with Cuba, among them one from Italy, asked the institutions of the Old Continent to adopt measures against the impact of the U.S. blockade.

The siege also punishes entities outside the Caribbean archipelago due to its extraterritorial nature, hence the initiative of the aforementioned organizations, including the National Association of Italy-Cuba Friendship.

The request contemplates promoting in the European Parliament the designation of banks in the Member States to carry out financial transactions with the Caribbean nation, which are currently hindered.

In addition to the above, other aspects of cooperation between Cuba and Italy stand out.

Havana's agricultural sector signed contracts to import tools and equipment for 2.4 million euros, with the support of Italy.

Sponsored by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, the project aims to increase food production in municipalities of the capital of the largest of the Antilles.

On the other hand, the contribution of Cuban doctors to Calabria stands out, as part of a hiring process in view of what is considered an emergency situation due to the lack of specialists in white coats in the southern Italian region.

The fifty or so Antillean doctors are part of the half a thousand stipulated, destined for four hospitals, where they will work side by side with their Italian colleagues.

Cubans and Italians recall with emotion the work of the Henry Reeve Medical Contingent, from the Caribbean nation, in the northern cities of Crema and Turin during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Mutual assistance between the Caribbean country and the European peninsular should increase, since the Italian agency for foreign trade is organizing a trip to the largest of the Antilles of Italian businessmen on the occasion of the Hostel Cuba fair in May this year, with emphasis on tourism. 

As the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, pointed out during a recent visit to Havana, Cuba and Italy coincide in stressing the need to strengthen friendly relations.

The concerted approach between Italian and Cuban entities is an effective approach, as it shows how a country from the industrialized North and another one with scarce resources can find ways of collaboration.