BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, November 3, 2017 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Outgoing Cuban Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Hugo Ruíz Cabrera paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris today, Friday, 3rd November, at the Prime Minister’s office at Government Headquarters.
His Excellency Cabrera is leaving the post of Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis after the completion of his tour of duty. The Ambassador first presented his credentials on 10th September, 2013 and will officially depart the Federation this weekend.
In his farewell message to Prime Minister Harris, Ambassador Cabrera said he is leaving the post feeling satisfied with what he was able to accomplish, particularly as it relates to further strengthening the bond shared between both nations.
The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of Cuba share a mutually beneficial partnership. Cuba has partnered with St. Kitts and Nevis in the area of educational advancement, through the provision of scholarships, and also in the area of health care.
“I think that we have an excellent bond historically, and in the last year that bond has gotten stronger, and so I am very pleased with that result,” His Excellency Cabrera stated. “I would like to take this opportunity to express gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of Cuba for the unwavering support given by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to my people, particularly in the international arena and at the United Nations.”
Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, who was supported in the meeting by Cabinet Secretary, Mrs. Josephine Huggins, thanked the outgoing Cuban Ambassador for his dedicated service that has resulted in improved bilateral cooperation between the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Government and people of the Republic of Cuba.
Dr. Harris said, “Cuba has long pursued a path of integration with the Caribbean islands and it has long proven itself to be a reliable ally of the people of the Caribbean region, particularly in their moments of need.”
Prime Minister Harris noted that Cuba’s support for the Federation’s human resource development is one of the most outstanding legacies of support that St. Kitts and Nevis enjoys.
“Our own human resource capacity and capability have been strengthened by the support we have had over the years from the Government of Cuba across a range of human services, and we want to place on record our gratitude and deep appreciation for the responsiveness of your Government for helping us in developing our people, for helping us provide an opportunity for tertiary level participation by our citizens. The free access we have had to the institutions of learning in Cuba certainly would help us move more progressively along that pathway of having more of our people graduating from the tertiary level institutions,” the Honourable Prime Minister Harris added.
It was noted that between the period 2014-2017, a total of 27 scholarships were offered to nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis, of which 23 students pursued studies in Medicine and two pursued studies in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Prime Minister Harris further stressed that St. Kitts and Nevis will continue to support the Republic of Cuba in the international arena, adding, “Whether it is on the issue of the blockade of Cuba, which we have opposed consistently, and other areas in terms of candidatures, St. Kitts and Nevis has given support to Cuba because we know that we could rely upon Cuba as a good friend.”
His Excellency Hugo Ruíz Cabrera also paid a courtesy call on Governor General, His Excellency Sir S. W. Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP on Tuesday, 31st October, 2017, at which time the Governor General thanked Ambassador Cabrera for his “outstanding service and for the assistance provided to St. Kitts and Nevis by way of the training of our citizens in the field of Medicine in particular.”
Last year, Prime Minister Harris visited His Excellency Hugo Ruíz Cabrera at the Cuban Embassy, where he paid his respects on the passing of the late Cuban President Fidel Castro Ruz on November 25th, 2016.
Visibly touched by the Honourable Prime Minister’s visit, the Cuban Ambassador said, “After these beautiful words coming from the Prime Minister, I have no words but to express my appreciation to the Prime Minister.”
