CUBA AND HAITI STRENGTHEN COOPERATION

Havana, May 17 (PL)- The visit to Cuba by Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Salvador Lamothe reaffirms the development of a bilateral relation that, according to authorities, favors cooperation over asymmetries and market-oriented interests.

The level of the Cuban-Haitian links go from visits by high ranking government officials to contacts among people united by geography, history, culture and even by their facing natural disasters.

The meeting in this capital between Lamothe and Cuban First Vice President, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, made headlines, with both agreeing to continue and broaden bilateral cooperation in areas including health, education, culture, sugar industry, iron and steel industry, veterinary science and fishing.

Two weeks ago, Haitian President Michel Martelly received Diaz-Canel in Port au Prince for the 5th Summit of the Association of Caribbean States.

On that occasion, Martelly described Cuba´s assistance as unconditional while Diaz-Canel expressed the willingness to continue and broaden collaboration.

Haitian Foreign Minister Pierre-Richard Casimir traveled recently to Havana to attend a meeting of the extended troika of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in representation of CARICOM.

Cuba has made clear that during its pro tempore presidency of CELAC it will defend greater involvement and integration of the Caribbean islands.

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