Belize and Cuba seek to widen cooperation

Diplomats and other government officials gathered in Belize City today for the ninth meeting of the Belize Cuba Mixed Commission. According to chief executive officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amalia Mai, the idea is to expand relations between the two countries, particularly in areas of health and education but also branching out into culture, history and home affairs.

Amalia Mai, C.E.O., Ministry of Foreign Affairs
?There are hundreds of Belizean students, over a hundred and fifty that are currently studying in Havana. The first group of medical students returned earlier this year and we do have some growing pains in trying to settle them into our own health care system, we acknowledge that but we are working very hard to resolve those issues. I want to extend the gratitude of my government for all the work that the Cuban doctors are doing throughout our country. They are very well received and as a result, this has led to a larger exchange among the peoples of both countries. A large number of Belizeans are now travelling to Havana and there have been a lot of marriages as well. I?m very happy about that.?

?We are grateful of the assistance Cuba has consistently provided through this. We feel it?s very meaningful because Cuba has little and it has given us so much so we are very indebted to your government for that.?

Loretta Blanco, Vice Minister, Min. of Foreign Investment and Cooperation
?Up to the present, we feel satisfied with the implementation level of the agreement and the Eight Joint commission held in May 2005. Therefore, we can see a marked interest for developing social and economic programs by both sides.?

?We trust that this new meeting shall contribute to this development of our cooperation bonds. Cuba expresses once again its decision to continue cooperating with our Caribbean brothers particularly with Belize, as long as our modest possibilities allow.?

In addition to officials from the Ministries of Health and Education, the Belize delegation also includes representatives from the Department of Archives, the Ministry of Culture, the Port Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Social Security Board. The meeting will conclude tomorrow where proposals will officially be endorsed by Vice Minister Loretta Blanco of Cuba and Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Courtenay.