Cuba
There Is but One Foreign Policy of the Cuban Revolution
- Yaima Puig Meneses -
As extremely challenging, President Díaz-Canel
described the current international situation, on March 18,
during the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (Minrex) annual review,
during which the institution's work in 2018 was fully
analyzed.
Assuming the challenge with "firmness and intelligence
to
avoid isolation, without conceding in principle or in position,"
was the appeal made by the Cuban leader. What we can do on the
diplomatic, economic, and communicational fronts plays a
fundamental role, he said.
Díaz-Canel shared reflections on aspects of
international policy related to Our America, where the
capitalists' colonial, neo-liberal strategy is evident, including
the resurgence of the Monroe Doctrine, and the tightening of the
blockade, especially in the financial arena.
Within this context, he said, a key role is played by
Minrex,
the protagonist of important battles in 2018, in which the Cuban
people felt themselves well represented. "Every time there is
diplomatic victory on the international level, the people feel
it, as a victory for the country," he said.
At the current time, he continued, when a return to a
confrontational period is occurring, and new dangers emerge that
must be faced, it is imperative that we are increasingly better
prepared. In this context, he said this ministry has been able to
add to the talent of more experienced functionaries a new
generation of young diplomats -- with a high level of
revolutionary consciousness and commitment.
Amongst us all, we must defend the legacy in foreign
relations which the Comandante en Jefe has left us, and what it
means, the President emphasized, by implementing an independent,
anti-imperialist, counter-hegemonic foreign policy, in which
friendship and international solidarity, security and world peace
prevail.
The generational change which the country is gradually
making, under the leadership of the Communist Party and its First
Secretary, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, should not give
anyone illusions that there will be a change in Cuba's foreign
policy, "The foreign policy of the Cuban Revolution continues to
be, and will be, the same, the one to which we must all
contribute," he stated.
Illustrious men in the nation's history have been part
of
this Ministry, like Alejo Carpentier, Fernando Ortiz, and
Raúl Roa. There are many men and much work to honor, he
emphasized, and we can best do so precisely by assuming the
challenges and overcoming them. This ministry has achieved
results and recognized prestige in its 60 years of revolutionary
diplomacy.
He highlighted the need to continue working with Cuban
émigré communities abroad, not only in the United
States. Our island was born of "immigration and mestizaje, and we
cannot ignore that many Cubans living abroad are proud of and
miss their homeland." In this context, he insisted that a
migratory policy must be crafted to invite all to contribute to
the development and defense of the homeland, to the extent that
each individual can. "We do not have to agree on everything, but
we can work together."
The President noted the impact of the consular services
Minrex provides, for Cuban residents here and abroad, emphasizing
that quality must be continually improved, as well as reception
and professionalism.
He insisted that the basic premises guiding government
work
apply to the Ministry as well, and be apparent in daily
efforts.
The discussion, once again, addressed cardinal issues
such as
the need for more efficient pubic administration; the
characteristics that the skilled workforce must develop within
the arena in which they operate; the sensibility to eliminate
obstacles and bureaucracy, in all entities where appropriate, to
reduce paperwork and allow more timely responses to concerns.
Public communication must be one of the main lines of
action,
he said, citing as another challenge, "Constructing, amongst all,
a social communication strategy that is more coherent and
active."
He stressed the importance of working with the press
not only
on the big issues, and continuing to expand a Minrex presence on
social media, in reference to which, it is crucial to "evaluate
what we are achieving and what is missing," to increasingly
perfect our messages. This virtual reality has an enormous impact
that we cannot ignore," the President said.
Likewise, he reiterated the importance of
computerization in
both internal and external processes, including those involving
the population, in which national systems must play a leading
role.
On another issue, he called for the use of scientific
research as a fundamental tool to help facilitate unraveling the
complexities of various questions linked to international
relations, such as current issues like human rights, migration,
labor legislation, and others.
The President emphasized the extensive legislative
effort
just beginning to adjust laws in accordance with the new
Constitution, noting that different bodies will be called on to
support the drafting of these new laws in their area of
competence.
Recalling the important role of the Foreign Ministry in
supporting the country's priority economic efforts in the
international sphere, Díaz-Canel noted areas such as
seeking more efficiency in attracting foreign investment; the
need to develop productive chains with foreign investment
projects, tourism, and the non-state sector; becoming aware of
and taking advantage of all opportunities for financing around
the world; the defense of national products; and improving
quality in the provision of services.
Finally, he described the analysis conducted as
crucial,
highlighting the concrete proposals made, connected to the
reality we are living. We have "a mature, revolutionary
diplomacy, heir to the ideas of Martí, Fidel, and
Raúl, and have important challenges ahead that we will
face from the front line of combat."
International Work Must Be Integrated
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla
presented an
evaluation of principal aspects of the country's foreign policy
work, focusing on the numerous challenges the Ministry will be
facing this year, given the complex international situation.
During the review, also attended by Ricardo Cabrisas
Ruiz, a
Council of Ministers vice president; Rodrigo Malmierca
Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; as well as
other Party and government leaders, it was noted that, this past
year, Cuba has conducted "a foreign policy of peace, cooperation,
and solidarity, in defense of international law; balanced,
sustainable development; and the promotion of more just economic
relations for developing countries."
Several participants in the discussion noted that
bilateral
relations with the United States in 2018 were challenging,
agreeing that this issue is central to all of the Ministry's
diplomatic work. The historic victory in the United Nations
General Assembly was highlighted as key to confronting the
economic, commercial, and financial blockade, confirming the
international community's overwhelming support to Cuba's
resolution demanding an end to this hostile policy.
New challenges were noted as well, especially the
worsening
of the U.S. government's persecution of Cuba's financial
transactions abroad.
Within the regional context, Cuba's solidarity with the
Bolivarian Revolution was reaffirmed, and the commitment of our
foreign policy to the unity of progressive forces and social
movements in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Several participants agreed that no foreign policy
action can
be conceived without a communications plan. The current battle on
social media must be waged with greater intensity, as a challenge
not present in other eras, they noted.
During the exchange, also discussed was the Ministry's
commitment to training new generations of diplomats at the
Raúl Roa García International Relations Higher
Education Institute.
The idea that all must contribute to defending Cuba was
emphasized in the meeting. Thus the need to carry out
increasingly more comprehensive work in all environments in which
Cuban foreign policy plays a role, interacting and creating ties
with all sectors.
This article was published in
Volume 49 Number 11 - March 30, 2019
Article Link:
Cuba: There Is but One Foreign Policy of the Cuban Revolution - Yaima Puig Meneses
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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