Statement from Cuba at the pre-meeting of the 3rd CELAC-EU Summit – Radio Guantanamo

He said that this meeting is an opportunity to advance the high-level political dialogue Miguel Diaz-Canel BermudezFirst Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, speaking at the EU-Caribbean Leaders’ Meeting, which preceded the third CELAC-EU Summit in Brussels, Belgium.

Given its importance, we reproduce his speech, which was published by the Presidency of the Republic.

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,

Distinguished Participants:

The delegations to this meeting of the leaders of the Caribbean region and the European Union come from countries with very different resources and capabilities.

The history of the Caribbean countries represented here is marked by centuries of colonization, slavery, plunder, and the current unfair international economic system. Acknowledging that reality will make it easier to understand who we are and what our aspirations are.

This meeting is an opportunity to advance the high-level political dialogue, which must be translated into concrete actions for the benefit of our peoples.

Away from the rhetoric, the realities of the relations between the Caribbean and the European Union are still a long way from taking advantage of all the current common potentials.

The current international context, which is characterized by the effects of a multidimensional global crisis exacerbated by the effects of the pandemic, calls for greater understanding and unity on the part of governments.

A more cooperative and supportive view towards the South is imperative, particularly towards the Caribbean.

We can expand and diversify joint ventures in high-priority areas, such as food security, development financing, technology transfer, renewable energy, digital transformation, and scientific research, among others.

The effects of climate change affect us all, but not in the same way. The Caribbean is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful regions in the world. But it is also one of the groups most vulnerable to the global threat of climate change.

For the nations of the Caribbean, coping with climate change is a matter of survival.

The intensification of extreme weather events and their effects are already evident: droughts, hurricanes, rising temperatures, degradation of soils and sea floors, the arrival of large quantities of sargassum, among others.

In the Caribbean, we have qualified personnel and advanced protocols aimed at facing the severity of climate change and preserving the Caribbean ecosystem; But greater international support is needed, including that of the European Union.

Distinguished Participants:

The expansion of the links between the European Union and the Caribbean necessarily requires due attention to the legitimate claims of reparations and compensation of the CARICOM nations for the grave damage caused by slavery and the transatlantic trade, which is one of the saddest and most shameful chapters of history.

Today we are witnessing profound changes at the global level, with great risks and challenges, but also with opportunities. I firmly believe that we can and must build better relationships: fairer, more balanced, supportive and cooperative to improve the lives of our people. pic.twitter.com/ZPsB1pscdw

– Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermúdez (DiazCanelB) July 18, 2023

The current “graduation” criteria for receiving ODA are unfair: they mask the serious multidimensional effects of poverty, inequality and vulnerability, linked to our status as SIDS.

It is essential that these qualifications be reviewed and modified, so that they adequately reflect the specific realities and needs of Caribbean countries.

We oppose the arbitrary and discriminatory classification of CARICOM countries as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, which has very serious consequences for their economies.

Relations between the European Union and the Caribbean must contribute to the promotion of development, stability and peace in Haiti, based on respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of that sister country.

Cuba’s relations with other Caribbean countries are based on friendship and solidarity. In more than 50 years of relations, we have verified the benefits of cooperation in strategic areas of mutual interest.

We are deeply grateful to the fraternal countries in the Caribbean region for their permanent solidarity and support for Cuba in all international forums, for accompanying us in our legitimate demand for an end to the illegal and unjust blockade imposed on our people and for their strong condemnation. regarding the inclusion of Cuba in the fraudulent and biased list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.

We also appreciate the signs of support we are receiving from European countries in this regard.

Let me conclude by calling for joint efforts to eliminate the huge inequality gap that separates us. It is a difficult task but not impossible.

The Caribbean and the European Union can and should cooperate better! To advance towards this goal, count on Cuba!

Thank you very much (applause).