Cuban ambassador to Qatar Alain Perez Torres affirmed the depth of the relationship between his country and Qatar, describing the relations as excellent which cover multilateral fields.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ambassador said that the main goal of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s visit Qatar was to strengthen the bilateral ties, establishing new spheres of co-operation.
He said the two countries have a solid base in the close ties of friendship between the late president Fidel Castro and His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. The sympathy and chemistry achieved between both leaders were the bases for the development of the excellent relations of friendship and co-operation that exist today between Qatar and Cuba, and both leaders gave a significant boost to the relations between the respective governments and peoples, he said.
He said that Qatar and Cuba share common principles and objectives in international relations, including the promotion of peace and friendly relations between countries, international co-operation in solving global problems, respect for the principle of sovereign equality of all states, the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, non-interference in the internal affairs of countries and the defence of its sovereignty and its independence.
He said that the government and people of Cuba highly appreciate the relations with the government and people of Qatar, adding, “We are grateful for the solidarity and co-operation received, particularly the support for our call to end the economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba.” The ambassador considered the health sector to be one of the most prominent areas of co-operation between the two countries, as thousands of Cuban health workers have provided their medical services; indicating that the potential for development is still vast and therefore the authorities of both countries are working to consolidate and expand medical co-operation.
The ambassador expected an increase in co-operation in new sectors after the Cuban president’s visit to Doha, such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, tourism, investment, trade, culture, sports, and education.
“We believe that accelerated progress is possible; we are working to achieve concrete results,” he added.
He pointed out that both governments are reviewing proposals for agreements that could be signed during our president’s visit to Qatar.
Ambassador Torres said the cultural activities and events carried out by the embassy in co-ordination with Qatari institutions such as the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and Katara Cultural Village, saying: “In this last Institution there is even a sculpture that commemorates the friendly relations between our countries and a mural by a Cuban plastic artist that was made prior to the FIFA World Cup.”
Alain Perez Torres
