Sri Lanka to diversify ties with Cuba

External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris highlighted Sri Lanka's interest in diversifying relations with Cuba, the purpose which framed the visit of a delegation led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In an interview with the Prensa Latina shortly before traveling to Brazil on Tuesday for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio +20, the minister considered that potential exists to expand links established in July 1959.

“We have excellent bilateral relations, and in that sense, we want to consolidate them into the political field and to strengthen trade and investment,” said Prof Peiris.

Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris

He also highlighted the potential for cooperation of Cuba in areas such as health, education and sport.

Currently, 41 Sri Lankan students are studying in Cuba in various specialties of higher education programmes, which has allowed the graduation of nearly 70 students.

According to the minister, promoting ties between Havana and Colombo was the priority of the high-level delegation that from last Friday fulfilled a busy schedule in Havana, which included President Rajapaksa's meeting with the Head of the host state, Raul Castro.

Minister Peiris considered that both countries share aspirations and positions on foreign policy, demonstrating the strength of ties.

“As members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), we defend self-determination of states, reject outside interference and promote the solution of internal problems from the traditions, culture and aspirations of each people,” he said.

Asked about the position of Colombo around unilateral economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, he reiterated the rejection of such practices, which in the case of Cuba have lasted over half a century, with damages in excess of 975 billion dollars.

Sri Lanka at the UN has maintained a historic position of condemning the blockade of Washington, in line with that demonstrated almost unanimously by the international community in voting in the General Assembly.

On other foreign policy projections of Colombo, the External Affairs Minister mentioned the defence of the validity of NAM and greater responsibility of developed countries on issues such as climate change and the emission of greenhouse gases.

“To maintain the validity of its basic principles, we must ensure that NAM is still alive and not go down in history,” Prof Peiris told the Prensa Latina.

According to the minister that will be a priority for Sri Lanka at the forthcoming summit of the bloc, scheduled in late August in Tehran.

About Rio +20, Minister Peiris said that Sri Lanka will demand solutions in this forum.

“We have long discussed and we need solutions, because developing countries are not responsible for the current problems,” he said in reference to climate change and threats to the survival of the human species.