Transcript, E&OE
23 November, 2009
Opening Statements at meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith MP and the Foreign Minister of Cuba, Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla
Mr Rodriguez: Foreign Minister, we welcome you with pleasure to Havana at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We appreciate the role played by Australia in many items of the international agenda.
We have coincided in our position in some of those items, particularly with regard to climate change and the depletion of the ozone layer, and at the same time, on the principles of free trade and free navigation against the implementation of abusive unilateral measures.
We highly appreciate the vote of Australia opposing the blockade imposed on Cuba, and we are very pleased with the evolvement of relations between Australia and Cuba in the last period.
I am convinced that your presence in Havana will provide impetus to our bilateral relations.
Mr Smith: Minister, thank you very much for your kind welcome. This year of course we celebrate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Cuba. I am very pleased to mark that with my first visit to Cuba and the first visit by an Australian Foreign Minister to Cuba in 15 years.
Like you, I am very pleased with the way in which our relationship has progressed in the recent period. In the last two years we have started to work much more closely together in international organisations, particularly the United Nations.
I see my visit here very much as a fresh start to our relationship, to enhance the good working and productive relationship between Australia and Cuba.
Australia wants to enhance its engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean, not just through individual countries like Cuba, but also by working closely with the relevant regional organisations like the Rio Group and CARICOM. We look forward to working closely with you, both bilaterally, regionally and internationally.
I thank you for your warm hospitality. It has been my great pleasure this morning to lay a wreath at the monument to Cuba's national hero, José Martí, and I look forward very much to a productive day with you. Thank you.
ENDS
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