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• 11 / 09 / 2009

Islamabad—A senior Cuban dignitary has expressed the keenness of his country to enhance trade, economic and cultural relations with Pakistan commensurate with their close political relationship and identity of views on international and regional issues.

The desire for close relationship was expressed by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba Marcos Rodriguez Costa in an exclusive panel interview with Pakistan Observer here on the conclusion of his visit to Pakistan in connection with the first round of
political consultative process between the two countries.

At the very outset of the interview, Marcos Rodriguez Costa paid rich tributes to Pakistan Observer for highlighting the international problems in a most objective manner and raising its voice against the forces of oppression and repression.

Talking about the relations between Pakistan and Cuba, he said that both the countries as member of the Non-Aligned Movement are working together for bringing about peace and tranquility in the world by opposing the use of force and occupation of sovereign countries.

The Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister lauded Pakistan’s role in the war against terrorism and expressed the hope that Pakistan would be able to overcome the challenges faced by it and its people live in peace and tranquility.

He said his country is opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including state terrorism. He said Cuba itself is the victim of terrorism for the last 50 years.

He called upon the United States to end Cuba’s economic blockade and vacate Guantanamo Bay which is part of Cuba and presently being used by the US as a prison for Al-Quaeda combatants captured bv the US during invasion of Afghanistan
following the 9/11 terror attacks against the US.

He called upon the US to respect the sovereignty of Cuba, a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement with the Cuban national hero Fidel Castro playing a key role in the formation of this vital forum whose members do not subscribe to any
military bloc and seek solution of all dispute through peaceful means.

The Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister specially thanked Pakistan for its consistent support for ending the economic blockade of Cuba by the United States which is against tall cannons of justice and UN Charter.

He recalled that Pakistan was among the 187 countries who had voted in favour of a Cuban resolution moved in the UN on 28th September calling upon the United States to life the economic blockade of Cuba. He said “we fully appreciate Pakistan’s
wholehearted support on this vital national issue.

He said it was his first visit to Pakistan . “I had constructive and highly successful talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani covering bilateral issues and a host of international and regional issues and found that there was

convergence of views on all issues discussed by them. “I am very satisfied with the outcome of my talks with the Prime Minister”, he added. He said during the meeting he had transmitted a message of goodwill and friendship from his country’s

President expressing goodwill and solidarity with Pakistan and wishing all the best for its people.

He said both sides noted with concern the effect of worldwide economic recession and its effect on the developing countries.

He said the process of political consultation between the two countries would continue with the high-level exchange of visits.

The Cuban officials also said his visit would be followed by the visit to Cuba by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and the Minister for Investment to deepen the ties of cooperative relations between the two countries.

Marcos Rodriguez Costa said in the 21st century all disputes must be resolved through peaceful means and dialogue as use of force has proved to be counter-productive. In this connection, he referred to the US invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan

Source: Interview: anvir Siddiqi/Akhtar Jamal
Pakistan Observer