Prime Minister Receives Courtesy Call from the Cuban Amabassador

Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama received a courtesy call from the new Ambassador of Cuba to Fiji, His Excellency José Manuel Galego Montano, at the Office of the Prime Minister, this afternoon (29/03/22).

Prime Minister Bainimarama congratulated Ambassador Montano on his new role and conveyed the assurances of the Fijian Government in working closely with Cuba to elevate diplomatic relations which were formally established in 2002.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Fiji. The Prime Minister acknowledged the Cuban Government’s ongoing support to Fiji through initiatives like the provision of medical scholarships, which has empowered Fijian medical students in their career development and contributes to Fiji’s health sector.

The meeting outlined prospective partnerships in mutual areas of climate change, economic recovery post-COVID-19, disaster preparedness, health, education and sports diplomacy.

The opportunities for greater engagement through the existing Visa Exemption Agreement between the two nations was also recognised.

The socioeconomic challenges resulting from the crisis in Ukraine, along with the concerted efforts of the global community to address those subsequent impacts, were also highlighted.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s commitment to work in solidarity with its global and regional development partners in collectively addressing common challenges and advancing shared aspirations. He extended the Fijian Government’s best wishes to Ambassador Montano as he assumes his new role, and expressed confidence that the Fiji and Cuba partnership would continue to strengthen.

In response, Ambassador Montano thanked Prime Minister Bainimarama for the opportunity to meet in person and discuss a way forward to enhancing engagements between our two nations.

He said the relations between our two developing countries constitutes a genuine testimony of solidarity and cooperation.

“Along these years, Cuba and Fiji have continuously developed cooperation for the benefit of both countries. More than 17 Fijian doctors graduated in Cuba, as part of the Governmental Scholarships Program provided by Cuba. Doctors who graduated in Cuba are currently working in Fijian communities and contributing to improve the health care services.”

“Cuba is committed to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in those areas of common interest, such as confronting climate change, ocean and environment protection, disaster management, education, health care and sports, among others.”

Ambassador Montano said, “Fiji can always count on the solidarity of the Cuban people and we are island nations and we share great challenges, so together, we can develop some projects for the benefit of our two peoples.”

“There are several areas with great potential to be developed, for example, sustainable agriculture, sugar agroindustry, promotion of renewable energies, just to mention a few.”

“Given the shared status of Small Islands Developing States, Cuba and Fiji can share experiences in sustainable development, inclusive economy growth, in the middle of the impact of COVID19 pandemic and also the consequences of climate change,” he said.