61st
Anniversary of the Triumph of the Cuban
Revolution and
75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between
Cuba and Canada
Reception at Cuban Embassy in Ottawa
On January 30, members of the Cuban Embassy
in Canada, together with representatives of the
Canadian government, Parliament and First Nations,
members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the
country, businessmen, academics, journalists,
Cuban residents, representatives of organizations
working in solidarity with Cuba, as well as
friends of Cuba from all walks of life, celebrated
the 61st anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban
Revolution and the 75th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba
and Canada. Over 300 people participated in this
very spirited reception.
The Carleton University Choral Ensemble sang the
national anthems of Cuba and Canada, following
which it performed the Venezuelan folk song Maracaibera
and Matona mia
cara by 16th century composer Orlando di
Lasso. The Ensemble's skill in performing various
kinds of music was much appreciated.
Her Excellency Josefina Vidal, Cuban Ambassador
to Canada, presented remarks. She recounted the
main milestones of the Cuba-Canada bilateral
relations, explained the challenges Cuba faced in
2019, mainly as a result of the tightening of the
economic, commercial and financial blockade by the
United States, and highlighted how the Cuban
people have mobilized themselves to deal with
these challenges.
Robert Oliphant, MP and Parliamentary Secretary to
the Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the
positive relations that have existed historically
between the two nations, their future perspectives
and the importance of these ties for both
countries, pledging Canada's resolve in further
developing these relations.
A raffle draw and a delicious buffet followed.
The entire event was marked by the broad support
and social love for the Cuban people and all their
achievements in their quest for sovereign
nation-building in the service of the well-being
of all, and for their lofty internationalist
spirit, which has won universal admiration from
the peoples of the world. Also expressed was the
sentiment that the Canadian people see diplomatic
relations between Cuba and Canada as an important
tool in strengthening the fraternal unity and for
holding exchanges of various kinds between our two
peoples and countries. The need for friendly
relations based on respect for sovereignty and
dialogue to prevail over the imposition of
dictate, foreign-instigated coups and the use of
force to sort out differences between countries,
as witnessed through the U.S. strengthening its
blockade on Cuba, is more important than ever in
the present period.
Remarks by Cuban Ambassador
The Cuban Embassy's website provided an overview
of the remarks of Ambassador Vidal at the
reception.
It informs that:
 "[She]
recounted the main milestones in bilateral
relations, especially in the last 60 years, which
have witnessed a sustained strengthening of
diplomatic and economic ties, and an increase in
contacts between the two peoples. She recalled, in
particular, the relevant place that Canada
occupies in our foreign relations, as the first
issuer of tourists to Cuba, second foreign
investor, fourth trade partner and one of the main
sources of cooperation projects.
"On the other hand, she referred to the challenges
Cuba has had to face in the last year, mainly due
to the tightening of the economic, commercial and
financial blockade by the United States, which has
adopted unprecedented measures due to their level
of aggressiveness and scope, with the aim of
suffocating the economy, depriving it of vital
income. She thanked business organizations,
solidarity groups and associations of Cubans
residing in this country for supporting Cuba in
its fight against the blockade, and also the
Canadian government for its vote in favor of the
Cuban Resolution at the United Nations General
Assembly and for defending the legitimate right of
its companies to trade and invest on the Island.
"The Head of the Cuban diplomatic mission in
Canada highlighted how, in the midst of these
difficult circumstances, Cuba has not been
paralyzed, but mobilized itself with the decisive
support of the population, the economy was able to
exhibit modest -- but meritorious -- growth, and
progress continued to be made in the
institutionalization of the country in accordance
with the provisions of the new Constitution of the
Republic approved by popular referendum.
"The Ambassador concluded her remarks by stating:
'As in the past, once again Cuba will resist and
win, and nothing will divert us from the path of
building a country that is increasingly just,
inclusive, prosperous, free and democratic; a
country that continues to care about the welfare
of its people and other peoples beyond its
borders, for the care of the common environment
and for a stable and peaceful world.'"
This article was published in
Volume 50 Number 2 - February 1, 2020
Article Link:
: Reception at Cuban Embassy in Ottawa
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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