Havana Tribune

Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, spoke on Wednesday at the Anti-Inflation Summit of Latin American and Caribbean Presidents held by Mexican President Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Given its importance, we reproduce his speech in full, based on abbreviated transcriptions posted by the Presidency’s website.

Hugs, dear Manuel López Obrador, President of the United Mexican States, and I see that you are running away from the next meeting in Mexico;

Hugs also to the Heads of State and Government, the Vice President of Venezuela, the Ministers leading the delegations participating in this summit;

Good evening everyone:

Thanks to Mexico, which initiated this summit and invited Cuba.

I remember very well, because it was a very special day, full of many emotions, there in Campeche, when Brother Andrés Manuel presented us with the idea of ​​this summit, while we proposed to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the regional political situation to carry out useful projects.popular. It was about mid-February and we’re already meeting to flesh out this idea.

This is the first feature of this quote: the sense of urgency that the difficult problems of our time impose on us. That is why I want to begin our quest to make use of the potential, capacity and political will to undertake, without delay, practical measures that will have a significant impact on the well-being of our peoples.

We agree with the proposals to facilitate and expand the exchange of goods.

I would add that in addition to removing tariffs and other non-tariff barriers, we can go into barter trade. This is an attractive way for Cuba because of the severe restrictions imposed on us by the blockade and arbitrary and unjustified inclusion in the list of countries that sponsor terrorism, according to the United States, which severely limits the country’s financial relations.

I believe we should also promote the exchange of (essential) services, as well as cooperation to increase food production, especially basic foods, and basic necessities, and access to them.

Here I would like to suggest that we make full use immediately of the existing productive and industrial capacity in our countries, in order to contribute to integration.

Let me give an example: we have two factories in Cuba that have the capacity to produce fertilizers; However, we do not have the raw materials for this. To produce NPK we need phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium. If some countries reach an agreement with Cuba to supply these inputs, we will be in a position to produce fertilizers and export them, and I think this is a scheme that can be used in other regions and in other countries. In this way, we place on the market this group of countries and those that will enter in the future, an essential product for the production of food, at a better and more stable price than the price imposed on us by the international situation.

Another topic that I propose to work on is the technology transfer model for food production, which, for example, is highly developed in Argentina and was mentioned by Foreign Minister Cafiero at the ministerial meeting.

In the field of services, Cuba, of course, offers its vast experience, especially in the health sector. We will be able to provide 1,000 comprehensive general practitioners to reach the population that needs it as well as implement programs to combat chronic diseases such as diabetes and blindness.

I also propose to address the interconnection of our sea and air transport, to ensure distribution chains within the region. For this, it will be necessary to make the most of the logistical and warehousing capabilities of our countries, which contributes to lower freight rates.

We are confident that the initial proposals and actions emerging from this meeting will soon be extended to other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Our commitment to a comprehensive vision and regional cooperation will be the cornerstone of joint efforts. In this way, progress in CELAC can also be taken advantage of.

Count on Cuba’s will and commitment. We are very interested in quick and tangible results. We cannot be remiss or slow while our people wait.

Thank you very much.

(taken from ACN)

other information:

Cuba’s achievements are recognized on World Health Day