The
Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and the Republic of
Cuba (hereinafter collectively called “ the Parties”;
Recalling the historic and momentous decision
taken by the four independent Caribbean Countries of Barbados, Guyana,
Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago at the Seventh Conference of Heads of Government
of Commonwealth Caribbean Countries on 14 October 1972 “to seek the early establishment of relations with
Cuba, whether economic or diplomatic or both”;
Acknowledging that the establishment of diplomatic relations by Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and
Trinidad and Tobago with the Republic of Cuba on 8 December 1972 attested to the
political independence, unity of purpose and courage of the leaders of those
States, represented
a historic breakthrough which encouraged the reinsertion of the Republic of Cuba into hemispheric
diplomatic relations and constituted an affirmation that Cuba is an integral
part of the Caribbean family;
Noting
that on the attainment of independence and inspired by the courageous actions of
Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, Belize and the
OECS Member
Countries of CARICOM -
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica,Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- all
established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cuba;
Further noting that the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Republic
of Haiti and the Republic of Suriname have also established diplomatic relations
with the Republic of Cuba;
Mindful
of the contribution of the Republic of Cuba to the social and economic
development of the Member States of the Caribbean Community, in particular,
through the provision of scholarships and of technical expertise; the deployment
of medical personnel; the assistance provided by Cuba in periods of natural
disasters; and the opening of its economy to facilitate greater trade and
economic linkages with the Region and beyond;
Mindful
also of the cultural and other links which exists between the Peoples of the
Parties, their shared aspirations for the development of the Caribbean
Civilisation, as reflected in their peculiar artistic, political and social
expressions;
Acknowledging also the importance of transparent and accountable governance and the protection
of human, social, political and economic rights for a sustainable economic and
social development;
Recalling
also the initiative of CARICOM countries in effecting participation of the
Republic of Cuba in the wider Association of Caribbean States and the active role that the Republic of
Cuba has played in the Association, particularly in the area of international transport;
Recalling also the role of the CARIFORUM States in securing the full participation of the
Republic of Cuba in the grouping of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States;
Welcoming
the Republic of Cuba’s involvement in the Caribbean Regional Negotiating
Machinery which is mandated to participate in negotiations in the search for a
rules based multilateral trading system which caters for the interest of economically vulnerable small island and low-lying coastal
States such as those of the Caribbean;
Committed
to
respect for and the promotion of the principles of the Charter of the United
Nations and, in particular, the sovereign independence, territorial integrity,
non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of States and the
sustainable development of their human, natural and economic resources;
Recognising that
the negative aspects of globalisation and trade liberalisation require bold and
innovative initiatives to reverse the deterioration in the
terms of trade between developed and developing countries;
Welcoming
the discussions held during this Summit on “ The Integration of the Caribbean:
Its Political, Economic and Social Dimensions: Challenges and Prospects” and
the opportunity to hold a full exchange on the political, economic, social and security realities of the Caribbean Region, particularly the further
economic integration of their countries;
CALL once
again for the immediate lifting of the unjust economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against
the Republic of Cuba, which is contrary to international law and the principles of the United Nations
Charter;
REAFFIRM the right of the Republic of Cuba not to be excluded from any multilateral
process;
REAFFIRM their commitment to support the early accession of Cuba to the ACP-EU Cotonou
Agreement;
ACCEPT
with appreciation the offer of the Republic of Cuba to provide the necessary expertise
for the establishment, in a Member State of the Caribbean Community of a
technical teaching centre for nursing and other medical specialities
with a capacity to train up to two hundred
professionals from all CARICOM States with
particular competence with regard to HIV/AIDS;
RECOGNISE
the need to strengthen
existing integration institutions and mechanisms, as well as,
where necessary,
to create
new ones;
DECIDE
to observe on the 8th day of December of each year as Cuba/CARICOM
Day, and
FURTHER
decide to
hold on that day, every three years, a meeting of Heads of State and Government of Cuba and CARICOM countries, rotating the venue of the Summit meetings between
Cuba and CARICOM countries and entrusting to the host Government of each meeting
the task of preparing the Meeting;
AND
FURTHER DECIDE
to
hold a Meeting at Ministerial level, within eighteen months of each Summit
Meeting, to focus on the priority issues facing the Caribbean Region.
ADOPTED
in Havana, Cuba on the 8th day of December 2002.
