Basseterre, St. Kitts (December 06, 2005): The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is among CARICOM Nations preparing to celebrate CARICOM/CUBA Day on December 8th to raise awareness of Cuba and the friendly relations they share.
Over the past months Cuba has made a significant impact felt in the region with the Miracle Mission Project under which many Kittitians and Nevisians traveled to Cuba at the courtesy of the Cuban government to receive corrective eye surgery.
CARICOM-CUBA Day is held in commemoration of the decision made in 1972 by the leaders of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, along with the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba and the Cuba Alumni Association has planned a series of activities. They will include statements by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry and Commerce, Hon. Timothy Harris and Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, H E. Ana Maria Gonzalez Suarez.
Nationals who studied in Cuba will visit high schools to discuss their experiences in Cuba.
The main feature of the celebration is an opening ceremony and exhibition at the Charles E. Halbert Public Library on Thursday, December 8th which will open to the public from 10:30am to 5:30p.m.
The Cuban band, Havana Rhythms will perform during the ceremony as well as on Friday, December 9th on the corner of Prince's and Fort Streets where the Cuban Alumni Association will be interacting with the general public and exchanging ideas on issues of global interest.
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cuba on April 28th, 1995. The two governments have since entered into a number of agreements that redound to the mutual benefit of their people.
This includes the annual meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is held alternately in Basseterre and Havana.
