Potential for cooperation between Cuba and Panama is highlighted

Havana, Aug 2 (RHC) The Cuban ambassador in Panama, Víctor Cairo, highlighted this Wednesday the existing potential in terms of cooperation between the two nations, particularly in sports, culture, science, health, education and trade.

In a meeting with the media after presenting the credentials to the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, Cairo said that he is proud of the performance of Panamanian artistic gymnastics in the Centrocaribe Games San Salvador 2023.

He added that there are also agreements between Pandeportes and Cuba’s National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation, and the contribution of baseball coaches to the local league is important.

In the health sphere, he highlighted the existing collaboration mechanisms and mentioned the island's achievements in biotechnology, such as the production of its own vaccines against Covid-19.

The Cuban diplomat explained that the supportive presence of Cuban doctors together with their Panamanian counterparts in the confrontation with the Covid-19 pandemic and in Operation Miracle, which made it possible to restore sight to low-income residents, are also strengths within those ties.

He also praised the will to continue consolidating relations between universities and with the literacy program Muévete por Panamá, based on the Cuban method Yes I can; in addition to promoting new cultural links, especially in manifestations such as music, dance, cinema and plastic arts, among others.

On the other hand, he estimated that in the commercial sphere, existing capacities can be used more, if the existing agreement that facilitates the import and export of products free of tariffs is taken into account.

Cairo also highlighted the will to boost the implementation of multiple bilateral agreements in force in judicial, air, customs, security and immigration matters.

He indicated that the US blockade on Cuba, its extraterritorial nature and the inclusion of the island among the nations sponsors of terrorism remain the main obstacles for the development and well-being of Cubans.

Despite the fact that since 1992 the United Nations General Assembly has approved resolutions to put an end to the siege, a majority demand of the international community, he stressed on the need to evaluate how the countries internally support this cause.

In this regard, the Cuban ambassador to Panama announced that the voice of the South will be heard again in Havana, on September 15 and 16, at the Summit of the Group of 77 plus China, an appointment to which he reiterated the invitation to Panama when transmitting greetings to Cortizo on behalf of Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel.

The diplomat also praised the joint work to promote and strengthen unity among diversity in the region, especially in the context of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, without the interference of great foreign powers or hegemonic interests. (Source: PL)