Newsletter

Embassy of Cuba in New Zealand
Newsletter
No.18
9th May 2015
ABSTRACT
We lead our newsletter this week with the story of how Cuba’s network of organic
farms — set up in response to the loss of access to chemical fertilisers — is helping
Pacific island farmers get more out of their soil, sustainably. In Medicine we hear
that the medical brigade is off to Nepal, orthopedics technology is expanding,
while under Trade & Tourism we report on FItCuba’s breakthrough — pulling in US
travel agents for the first time, US airline Havana Air looking to add more
connections, and a new grouping of Lebanese businessmen plans to visit.
In Diplomacy the Russia and Cuba presidents and staff held important meetings in
Moscow, the Duma president has visited Havana, Raúl has also pledged friendship
to Algeria carrying greetings from his brother to its president, and the Netherlands
minister of foreign affairs has visited Cuba’s first vice-president, Miguel Diaz-Canel.
Inside Cuba covers the 8th Cuban Day against Homophobia and Transphobia with a
photo exhibition by US artist Byron Motley, and French-Greek filmmaker Costa
Gavras — who won an Oscar with the ground-breaking film ‘Z’ — has given an
encouraging speech to young Cuban filmmakers at the 8th French Cinema Festival.
Enjoy!
Embassy of Cuba in New Zealand
Newsletter
No.18
9th May 2015
Upcoming events
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Investor Guide
Portfolio of opportunities for foreign investment
Law 118 foreign investment act
Legal framework of the special development zone of Mariel
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Pacific farmers to learn Cuban soil technology
We will provide help to Nepal for as long as necessary
Cuba has provided almost 14 million orthopedic services and articles
International fair of tourism starts in Cuba
US tour-operators come to Cuban tourism fair
US airline plans to expand operations in Cuba
FITCUBA-2015 opens gastronomy department
Living the experience at FITCuba
Underwater photography contest showcased ‘rich and beautiful fauna’
Lebanese entrepreneurs announce trip to Cuba
Russian, Cuban presidents review bilateral agenda
Russian Duma president visits Havana
Raúl: ‘We stand by and support Algeria’
Holland and Cuba: two large investment projects
Pope's audience with President Raul Castro confirmed
Respect, include, accept!
Costa Gavras gives keynote speech in Cuba
EXPORT
Pacific farmers to learn Cuban soil technology
Organic farmers from Fiji and
Solomon Islands have arrived in
Cuba to learn innovative agricultural
techniques from a world leader of
organic farming in a bid to improve
food security and environment
protection back home.
The learning expedition this week
marks the start of a project by the
Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade
Community (POETCom) which is
aimed at transferring low-cost and proven ecological farming practices from Cuba to the
Pacific.
The five farmers taking part belong to three farming groups, Tei Tei Taveuni and Kustom
Garden Association from Fiji and the Zai na Tina Organic Demonstration and Research farms in
the Solomon Islands.
The training, focussed on urban farming techniques, is being held at the Higher School of
Urban and Suburban Agriculture and the Alejandro de Humboldt Fundamental Tropical
Agriculture Research Institute (INIFAT) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Cuba.
Funded by the UN Development Programme GEF Small Grants Programme and the European
Union-supported Increasing Agricultural Commodity Trade (IACT) project implemented by the
Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), the project aims to become familiar with, then to
transfer, low-cost and proven ecological farming practices from Cuba.
Practices of particular interest to the project include worm composting (which produces very
high nutrient compost), intensive production techniques including micro-irrigation, and farmbased laboratories to produce biological means of pest control.
Lessons from Cuba will be adapted in the setup of pilot technologies on an urban farm in
Honiara and in Fiji aligned to the Pacific Organic Standard that was endorsed by the Pacific
Island Forum Leaders in Niue in 2008.
POETCom coordinator Karen Mapusua said the Pacific faces huge challenges of food security
with increasing land degradation due to poor agricultural practices and chemical inputs.
The situation is exacerbated by climate change.
‘Cuba established a wide network of urban farms to feed 80 per cent of its population who live
in urban areas and has now perfected this system. This model is relevant for urban centres in
the Pacific where communities are facing similar food security issues,’ Mapusua said.
‘Improved methods need to be developed and incorporated in farming systems to safe guard
food security while protecting biodiversity, combating the impacts on food production and
land degradation linked to climate change,’ she said.
Mapusua added that traditional agricultural practices although safe and organic, are unable to
sustain the nutritional demand of growing Pacific populations especially in urban areas where
arable land is scarce and where non-traditional crops are being cultivated.
Over half of Fiji’s population and one-fifth of Solomon Islands’ people reside in urban areas.
‘Organic agriculture in the Pacific needs to be “value added” to ensure we can meet our food
production needs sustainably,’ she said.
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MERCY
We will provide help to Nepal for as long as necessary
In the early hours of Friday morning,
brigade 41 of the Henry Reeve
International Contingent specializing
in disaster situations and large-scale
epidemics, departed for Nepal.
The group formed of 49 collaborators
-- including 25 doctors specializing in
various branches of medicine - will
offer help to the victims of the
earthquake which struck the South
Asian nation on April 25.
During the farewell ceremony, Marcia Cobas, deputy minister of Public Health, expressed her
sense of pride given this group’s rapid response after learning of the tragedy, “In 24 hours the
specialists and equipment were ready.”
She noted that a field hospital will also be sent over, which includes a surgery unit, sterilization
services, an intensive care unit, diagnostics (including X-rays, a semi-automated laboratory and
ultrasound), as well as consultation areas, and recovery services, one of the most important
tasks over the coming days.
Also present at the farewell ceremony were Cuban Minister of Public Health, Dr. Roberto
Morales Ojeda, Ana Teresita González Fraga, deputy minister of Minrex and other Minsap
officials.
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MEDICINE
Cuba has provided almost 14 million orthopedic services and articles
The National Orthopedic Technology
Centre CUBA-RDA (CNOT) has
provided almost 14 million orthopedic
services and articles since its creation
50 years ago.
The health care institution was
created after the donation of a lab
and equipment, teaching materials
and the training of Cuban experts by
professors of the former German
Democratic
Republic,
after
negotiations
between
solidarity
groups.
In 1959, there were only a few private centres in Havana and central and eastern parts of the
country, that would assist patients very basically. People also had to acquire orthopedic
articles at a high price, said CNOT director Guillermo Rodríguez.
Professors, students and workers inaugurated the Orthopedics Technology School/Workshop
CUBA-RDA on May 2, 1965, a date celebrated as National Orthopedics Technology Day.
Nowadays, the centre guarantees all of the national demand for prosthesis and over 80
percent of the rest of the devices, producing prostheses, orthopedic footwear (including for
diabetics), orthotics, bandages, and other technical support like crutches, Zimmer frames and
canes, in compliance with international standards, said production deputy director José
Álvarez.
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TRADE & TOURISM
International fair of tourism starts in Cuba
With tour operators assistance, travel
agents, representatives of airlines,
hotel companies and the specialist
press of 40 countries the 35th
International Fair of Tourism of Cuba
took place last week in Jardines del
Rey (Gardens of the King).
Considered the largest marketplace of
the tourist industry in the Island,
FITCuba-2015 was on until May 7th
and was dedicated to Italy as the
invited country and to the theme of
marine leisure.
This year for the first time the event had two important sites — one the business exhibition
dedicated to the promotion of opportunities of the tourist companies and the second one is
the providers' sample, with the assistance of national and foreign producers.
In the first work day Cuban minister of tourism, Manuel Marrero and the deputy minister of
cultural goods and tourism of Italy, Francesca Barracciu held a workshop.
Carlos Vogeler, representative for the Americas of the World Organization of Tourism
addressed delegates and media.
FitCuba 2015 takes as its main head office the hotel Meliá Jardines del Rey, newly inaugurated
in Cayo Coco.
With a hotel network of 17 hotels and more than 6,000 rooms, the region is celebrated for its
flora with species of high ornamental and timber-yielding value and an abundant fauna, with a
large colony of pink flamingos.
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TRADE & TOURISM
US tour-operators come to Cuban tourism fair
For the first time more than 129 US
travel agents and tour-operators
attended a Cuban tourism fair,
tourism minister Manuel Marrero
told media during the inauguration of
the 35th show on last week in central
Ciego de Avila province.
Marrero said that a growing number
of US executives have visited the
island since the United States and
Cuba announced on December 17 the
process to re-establish diplomatic relations. However, he stressed that the US economic
blockade against Cuba continues to be the main obstacle for US citizens to freely travel to the
Caribbean nation as tourists.
Marrero made it clear that although US-Cuba negotiations are underway towards the
normalization of relations, the island will never let down those nations that offered Cuba a
hand in difficult moments.
Cuba received more than 3 million tourists in 2014, 5.3 percent more than the previous year,
with main tourist sources being Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Sweden, Brazil and Uruguay.
At present the local tourist sector has 5492 hotel rooms in four and five-star facilities, including
26 joint ventures. At the same time Cuba maintains hotel management contracts with 18
international hotel chains in 69 hotels, with Spain´s Melia Hotels International being the main
partner. The Spanish group manages 27 tourist facilities and will soon mark its 25th
anniversary of operations in Cuba.
As to the growing private initiative, the minister referred to 1 574 restaurants and 11504
private homes offering tourist accommodation.
Cuba operates 10 international airports, the doorways for 54 foreign airline companies flying
to more than 60 cities worldwide. Now Spain´s Iberia airlines will resume flights to Cuba in
June, he said.
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TRADE & TOURISM
US airline plans to expand operations in Cuba
United States airline Havana Air is
looking to expand its operations in
Cuba, at the International Tourism
Fair (FITCuba 2015), based on the
reestablishment
of
relations
between Washington and Havana
agreed to last December.
Everyone in the United States wants
to visit Cuba, businessman David
Nesslein told media. The general
manager of the company and is a
member of the US delegation of 120
tour operators, travel agents and
businesspeople who are attending the largest tourist event organized in Cuba over the past 35
years.
According to Nesslein, the Cuban tourist market offers enormous possibilities, despite the
blockade.
For the general manager of Havana Air, the expansion of travel licences approved by President
Barack Obama after December 17, when the United States and Cuba announced the initiation
of procedures to reestablish relations, is an irreversible step which has generated great
expectations between businesspeople of the northern country.
The door is open, everybody speaks of Cuba and it would be very difficult for that situation to
be reverted, said Nesslein, whose enterprise started selling air tickets to Havana in 2009 and
now operates 60 flights a month to different destinations in the Caribbean island.
After commenting that the Cuban market is expanding, the US businessman considers the
events like FITCuba offer a unique opportunity to explore business opportunities.
As Cuban minister of tourism, Manuel Marrero explained, Cuban tourism is on a roll and
expects to easily exceed the three million visitors of last year.
‘To achieve it,’ he added, ‘we work hard to expand hotel capacity, now with about 300 hotels
managed by famous international hotel chains in association with local companies like Gaviota
and Cubanacan.
To that room capacity are added eight thousand rooms offered by the private sector, most in
the main cities.
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TRADE & TOURISM
FITCUBA-2015 opens gastronomy department
The opening of the Gastronomy and Tourism
Department in Cuba was an important event
during the 35th International Tourism Fair —
FITCuba 2015 —on its second day at Jardines
del Rey.
The objective of the department is to guard
the purity of the nation's culinary and
popular traditions, as well as to consider the
new gastronomic and dietetic proposals,
executives of the sector stated.
This will be a cultural and educative
institution aimed at maintaining, disseminating, promoting and protecting Cuban cuisine in
different regions of the country, in benefit of health and citizen's welfare, Cecilia Malcom,
deputy director of Formatur, a professional training school, stressed.
It is also comprised academics, business people, celebrities and all Cuban experts in the Cuban
gastronomic world.
Malcom pointed out that one of the strategies of the Ministry of Tourism in the nation was to
improve quality of services, and gastronomy has a leading role in each hotel and extra-hotel
institution.
Ciro Bianchi, a researcher and historian who will lead the department in Cuba, stated that the
union of all will achieve a better quality of local gastronomy to maintain its prestige worldwide.
An initiative of the fair was the exhibition of food products, beverages and different goods of
about 30 supplying companies from Spain, Guatemala and Italy.
Considered the main trade fair of the tourist industry in the island, FITCuba-2015 ran
until May 7, and was dedicated in this occasion to Italy, as a guest country, and to
marine leisure.
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TRADE & TOURISM
Living the experience at FITCuba
The International Tourism Fair FITCuba 2015 launched a wealth of ideas for adventures in Cuba
and realising some of the many opportunities in this country.
It is one of the safest adventure islands in the Caribbean, judging by the possibilities and
potential, say the organizers.
The presence of delegations from over 40
countries makes this event a swirl of
contacts that participants seek to
maximize, particularly tour operators and
travel agents.
Cayo Coco is a very interesting site, next
to the Hotel Melia Jardines del Rey, venue
of those contacts and of FITCuba. Part of
the
Sabana-Camaguey
archipelago,
composed of more than 2 500 islands and islets extending 465 kilometres from the Hicacos
peninsula in the Bay of Nuevitas.
Cayo Coco is 370 square kilometres and has 22 kilometres of beaches — and Cayo Guillermo,
followed by other wide range of attractions.
However, this is just the tip of the pile of charms that bring Cubans to the negotiations, with
good space for the diversification of offers, apart from the logical enhancement of sun and
sand, leading the country style.
The travel industry now has a unique adventure for those attending FITCuba mainly due to
variations in recreational and nature opportunities, nautical, history, culture and adventure.
Despite persistent rain since the arrival of the delegates, a presentation by a singing chef with
Italian operas, the country chosen as guest of honor, with decorated boats as background the
occasion was spectacular.
Attendees visited many sites to catch the best deals with the Cubans.
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TRADE & TOURISM
Underwater photography contest showcased ‘rich and beautiful fauna’
Participants in the International
Underwater Photography Contest,
Fotosub 2015, described the event as
successful, and which concludes this
weekend on Cayo Guillermo, in
Jardines del Rey.
Alejandro Salazar, a member of the jury
and the director of Mexican magazine
"Espacio Profundo", told media about
the excellent conditions and seascapes
in that north-central Cuban region.
‘I have participated in several events in the island and I think it is important that the contest
moves to other Cuban sites, because it will encourage taking photos of other unique
underwater beauties and those images travel the world,’ he said.
Salazar talked of the importance of promoting those treasures lying on the sea bed, so that
people can admire them and love them and automatically start to preserve them, because no
one really protects what they do not love.
Experienced Cuban photographer Manuel Carmenate said that the meeting gave him the
opportunities to take photos of a very rich and beautiful fauna, and, in addition to enjoying a
good dive, Cubans could take excellent images.
FOTOSUB took place as a preamble to the International Fair on Tourism, FITCuba 2015, which
was dedicated to the marine leisure industry and the Italian market.
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TRADE & TOURISM
Lebanese entrepreneurs announce trip to Cuba
A delegation of the recently created
Lebanon-Cuba Businessmen Council
(LCBC) will travel to Havana at the
beginning of June to explore business
and investment opportunities with
their Cuban counterparts.
LCBC president Ali Kazma, explained to
this agency that a delegation
representative of 10 business sectors
will participate with their Cuban
counterparts in the first binational
economic forum to be held in Cuba.
Kazma and his colleagues will hold talks with Orlando Hernandez Guillen, president of the
Cuban Chamber of Commerce (CCC), together with the Centre for Promotion of Foreign Trade
and Investment of Cuba (CEPEC), as well as organized contacts and meetings.
Kasma, who is also president of the Kizmondo theme park in Lebanon, said the forum will be
held June 2 and 3 at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba with executives of different Cuban enterprises
and state officials from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Special Economic Development
Zone of Mariel.
Lebanese businessmen expect to sign a document with the CCC which will give a legal
framework for later investment, trade or joint venture agreements that are carried out during
their trip.
The Council proposes to hold dialogues with the ministries of different sectors to boost the
role of the private sector in business development. This month, a group will be sent as a
scouting party to establish strong connections with Cuban authorities.
The trip will provide access to crucial and privileged information on profitable foreign
investment opportunities that will allow its members to meet with key personnel in different
fields and become familiar with the work of trade and business in the island, he indicated.
Over 20 entrepreneurs, mostly young, form the LCBC which since its official creation in Beirut
was already interested in creating a fruitful and profitable relation for both parties.
‘We believe in Cuba and see its potentialities. There are already 30 thousand Lebanese
emigrants or descendants of them living in Cuba, so we have strong links among us.’ declared
Kazma.
The Lebanese business community has great interest in investing in Cuba in branches like
tourism, pharmaceutical industry, health care, construction and trade.
In his opinion, the passing of investment laws, the creation of development zone sand an
investment portfolio in Cuba, were steps to facilitate business and would attract capital.
The programme will include visits to resorts, recreational sites, sites of historic interest in Old
Havana and the rest of the Cuban capital, the Viñales Valley, a cigar factory in Pinar del Rio and
Varadero beach resort.
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DIPLOMACY
Russian, Cuban presidents review bilateral agenda
Russian president Vladimir Putin and
his Cuban equivalent Raul Castro
have examined issues of the bilateral
political, economic and trade
agenda, according to reports from
the Kremlin.
The two statesmen are analyzing the
prospects of cooperation for new
agreements in several fields of
collaboration, and exchange views
about the regional and international
situation.
President Raul Castro arrived in Moscow on May 5 in response to an invitation by his Russian
colleague to the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the victory over fascism, on May 9.
During the meeting held yesterday with Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, the Cuban
statesman said ‘I could not miss these celebration for the 70th anniversary of this victory for
our great friendship, preserved, and the ties between our peoples.’
They testify to the exchanges of regular visits, even to the highest level. Putin visited the island
in 2000 and in the summer of 2014, as well as a visit held in 2008 by Dmitri Medvedev, as
president in that time.
Raul Castro also carried out an official visit in 2009, after 25 years of absence, and a working
stay in 2012. The two governments signed in January 2009 a memorandum on the principles of
strategic partnership.
Moscow and Havana celebrated on May 8 the 55th anniversary of the re-establishment of
diplomatic relations.
According to the text, the official programme of the Cuban president also included a lunch on
behalf of the host head of state, on May 8, and the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier, at the foot of the Kremlin Wall, shortly before the military parade at the Red
Square.
President Raul Castro was present at the tribute, along with other foreign leaders, invited to
the central ceremony for the victory, to which heads of international agencies such as United
Nations and UNESCO, and regional organizations will also attend.
The current visit is carried out in the context of the successful celebration of the special session
of the Inter-governmental Commission for the Economic-Commercial and Scientific-Technical
Collaboration, held in Kazan, on April 22, and resulted in a dozen documents sealed in many
fields of cooperation.
Vice president of the Council of Ministers, Ricardo Cabrisas, foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez,
army corps general Leopoldo Cintra Frias, and minister of the revolutionary armed forces, and
ambassador to Russia Emilio Lozada are part of the official delegation.
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DIPLOMACY
Russian Duma president visits Havana
Esteban Lazo, member of the Politburo
of the Cuban Communist Party and
president of the National Assembly of
the People’s Power, has received
Doctor Serguei Naryshkin, president of
the Russian State Duma.
The meeting took place at Havana’s
Hotel Nacional in a cordial and friendly
atmosphere, in which Lazo expressed
his pleasure at this high-level visit,
which will contribute to the
strengthening of political, economic
and commercial relations between the two nations.
Today, relations between our two peoples gain fresh impetus, to which the visit of Russian
president Vladimir Putin to Havana in 2014 and the steps taken after the realization of the
agreements signed, contributed,said Lazo.
He also expressed his appreciation for the solidarity received for the cause of the return of the
Cuban Five to their homeland and for the support given to the island’s resolutions in the
United Nations against the US blockade.
Among changes of Cuba’s economic model under way, he mentioned the Law on Foreign
Investment and Opportunity Portfolio which would contribute to the further growth of
economic relations between Cuba and Russia.
He supported Russia's efforts to move closer to the region and the stance of that country in
the face of the growing hostility of NATO, a threat to the peace and security of the nation.
Sergei Naryshkin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, reaffirmed the principles of solidarity
with the Cuban people and called for the strengthening of relations in all fields and areas
possible.
Naryshkin has also visited Cuba’s first
vice-president of the councils of state
and ministers, Miguel Diaz-Canel.
During the fraternal meetingthe two
leaders spoke about the excellent state
of bilateral relations and tackled issues
of international topicality. The moment
was favourable to thank the Russian
parliament for its solidarity with the
cause of the Cuban people.
The historic bonds existing between
the two countries have strengthened
after the visit to Cuba of Russian
president Vladimir Putin in July, 2014, and by the current visit to Moscow of the president of
the Cuban councils of state and ministers, army general Raul Castro, within the framework of
celebrations on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory over fascism and the 55th
anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Accompanying the distinguished visitor was Ivan Ivanovich Melnikov, first vice-president of the
State Duma of the Russian Federation and Mikhail L. Kamynin, ambassador of the Russian
Federation. Cuba was also represented at the meeting by Ana María Mari, vice-president of
the National Assembly of the People’s Power (Parliament) and Rogelio Sierra, deputy minister
of Foreign Affairs.
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DIPLOMACY
Raúl: ‘We stand by and support Algeria’
Algerian
president
Abdelaziz
Bouteflika has received at his official
residence army general Raúl Castro
Ruz, who in his first words conveyed
greetings from Comandante en Jefe
Fidel Castro Ruz to this friend of Cuba.
The two conversed for over two hours,
both privately and with their
accompanying
delegations.
Afterwards, Raúl spoke with the Cuban
and Algerian press regarding his
impressions over the past few days
and the friendship between the two
countries.
On responding to questions regarding relations between the two nations, the Cuban president
said, ‘We stand by and support Algeria,’ adding, ‘What would become of this part of northern
Africa without the stability that Algeria enjoys today?’ while acknowledging the common sense
of Algerian principles in the international arena.
‘When I look at the global picture, I get the feeling that they are going crazy, wars here,
bombing there, interventions, the destruction of countries, madness, what is the world coming
to? That’s why I state my opinion without hesitation, and accordingly I share it with my
delegation, the foreign policy of the Republic of Algeria is very positive.’
Among the topics discussed during his visit, Raúl mentioned the interest of both parties in the
production of vaccines and medicines, as well as continued cooperation on public health.
He recalled that the first international mission of Cuban medicine was in fact in Algeria, in
1963, led by the now second secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, José Ramón Machado
Ventura.
Raúl also spoke with reporters about current issues on the island, including the crucial role of
Cuban women in the country's development and the demographic challenges faced by the
nation.
Some facts about Algeria
The official name of the country is the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
It has the largest land area in Africa (after Sudan split into two nations), bordered on the north
by the Mediterranean Sea, with Tunisia to the northeast, Libya to the east, Niger in the
southeast, Mali and Mauritania to the southwest, along with Morocco and Western Sahara to
the west.
Algeria, with 39,500,000 inhabitants, is named after its capital and largest city, Algiers, which
means “the islands” in reference to the small islets located in its port.
The life expectancy of Algerians is around 77 years and the population growth rate stands at
2.15%. This North African nation shows favourable macroeconomic indicators due to its oil
exports income, although this has been diminished by the recent fall in oil prices.
It is estimated that Algeria has 12,200 million barrels of proven oil reserves, the third largest
amount in Africa after Libya and Nigeria.
Its proven natural gas reserves are calculated at 159 trillion cubic feet, second in the continent
after Nigeria. Among its main export products, in addition to oil and gas, are dates, fruits and
wines.
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DIPLOMACY
Holland and Cuba: two large investment projects
Cuba´s first vice-president Miguel
Diaz-Canel has received Netherlands
minister of foreign affairs Bert
Koenders.
Both leaders spoke of the good
bilateral relations and the growth in
trade between the two countries, as
well as the new investment
possibilities in Cuba for Dutch
entrepreneurs.
Koenders was accompanied by his
deputy for the Western Hemisphere
Matthijs C. Wolters and ambassador
to Cuba Norbertus W. M. Braakhuis.
For the Cubans side first deputy minister of foreign affairs Marcelino Medina; Elio Rodríguez,
director of Europe and Canada division of the Foreign Ministry and other staff members
participated.
During the conversation with Cuban and foreign press, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands reaffirmed his country's rejection of the economic, commercial
and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States adding that Cuba and the
Netherlands were working on two large investment projects, yet to be specified.
In other priorities, the Foreign Minister reasserted the willingness of the Netherlands to act as
intermediaries with regard to relations between Cuba and the European Union.
‘We think we have been one of the key actors in the encouragement and promotion of the
next round of negotiations between Cuba and the European Union recently announced by the
high representative Federica Mogherini and foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez,’ he said.
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DIPLOMACY
Pope's audience with President Raul Castro confirmed
Pope Francis will welcome in
private audience this week Cuba
president Raúl Castro, said a
Vatican Radio report published
on the website of the Holy See.
The note explains that the
meeting would take place on the
morning of May 10 in the Holy
Father’s study inside the Paul VI
Hall, as confirmed by Fr.
Federico Lombardi, director of
the press office of the Holy See.
It also recalls that Francis will visit Cuba next September before his apostolic trip to the United
States.
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INSIDE CUBA
Respect, include, accept!
The 8th Cuban Day against Homophobia
and Transphobia began last week with a
press conference and the inauguration of
the
photo
exhibition Continuing
Forward by US artist Byron Motley at the
National Centre for Sex Education
(Cenesex) headquarters, which along with
the Cuban Workers’ Federation has
organized an extensive programme of
activities, which will continue through
May 23 across the provinces of Havana
and Las Tunas.
Mariela Castro Espín, director of Cenesex,
(pictured) highlighted the importance of informing and educating the Cuban population in the
need to accept and respect free and responsible sexual orientation and gender identity, rights
which when not respected by all, become a problem which generated suffering and exclusion.
In this regard she noted that this year Cenesex has launched a new campaign as part of its
ongoing communicative and sex education strategy, which aims to promote, under the banner
of ‘count me in,’ homophobia or transphobia free work spaces.
‘We have spent the last two years directing efforts toward the family sphere, and although we
haven’t been able to include rights regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in the
Family Code as we had hoped, our work has contributed to bringing awareness to the
population at all levels, including that of government, so that in the future these issues are not
only incorporated into the Family Code but also the Cuban justice system,’ she emphasized.
Likewise, she noted that ‘one of the problems frequently identified by our centre through the
legal services regarding sexual orientation it provides to the population, is precisely that work
spaces are one of the principal areas in which LGTBI (lesbian, gay, transgender, intersex)
people are vulnerable.
Mariela Castro emphasized that although the inclusion of a recommendation against
discrimination based on sexual orientation in the Work Code is an achievement, the
incorporation of the concept of gender identity continues to be an unfulfilled demand.
The use of concepts in the principle of non-discrimination is very important, and although
these concepts are subject to a constant processes of development – such as notions regarding
gender or sexuality —‘they exist and are used in basic ethical principles,’ she stated.
She also argued that generating consciousness is not something achieved through laws alone,
but requires systematic educational efforts. The population will not discuss, reflect, concern
itself about nor address these problems unless we put them on the table, as they generate
suffering, injustice, exclusion, which is incompatible with the principles of revolutionary social
justice. The policies and aspirations must be reflected in laws and concrete actions.
This year’s special programme of activities include an ecumenical service and celebration of
love, a symbolic act between same-sex couples or transsexuals to commemorate a sentimental
connection like heterosexual couples, until such marriages are legalized.
The scientific event began with two panel discussions in the CTC, regarding how to make work
places spaces of inclusion.
Another of this event’s objectives was to promote the creation of personal, family and social
conditions in which men and women could fully exercise their sexual rights, free from
exclusion based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
It also aimed to promote respect and acceptance toward people with HIV with an emphasis on
the most vulnerable groups; to combat and overcome all forms of discrimination and gender
based violence, in particular, against men and women due to their sexual orientation or
gender identity.
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INSIDE CUBA
Costa Gavras gives keynote speech in Cuba
French-Greek filmmaker Costa Gavras
is giving a keynote speech in Cuba to
students of the International Cinema
School in San Antonio de los Baños.
Invited by the organizers to the 18th
French Cinema Festival on the island,
Gavras travelled for fifth time to Cuba
to share experiences and screen his
most recent film ‘Capital.’
According to the current director of
the French Film Library, the movie
gives details of a contemporary
addiction, the attraction generated by
the financial power, in which political
power is weakened .
Many men and women seek to have more and more money as a species of addiction, he told
media.
Gavras won his first Oscar award in 1969 with the ground-breaking ‘Z’. Since then, both he and
the world have changed greatly but he does not want to alter some principles of life and
particularly ethics.
The films of this director always imply an acute social and political angle, which is not only
reflected through the lens but also with the pen: his scripts have taken awards such as Oscar
and Bafta in the United States; and the Palme d'Or in Cannes with "Missing" (1982).
Cavras believes France and Cuba share that point of view, and the efforts here by Alfredo
Guevara and the government have proved that a small country can have a worthwhile cinema.
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Upcoming events
Second International Seminar on Animal and Plant Health, May 19-23, 2015
VII International Conference for Renewable Energy, Energy Saving and Energy
Education, 25-28 May 2015
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in New Zealand
76 Messines Rd, Karori, Wellington 6012
www.cubadiplomatica.cu/nuevazelanda/EN/Home.aspx
Visit the Embassy of Cuba in New Zealand Facebook page
Text edited by David Reade of International Public Relations (ipr.bz) on behalf of the Cuban Embassy, Wellington, from Cuban news
agency sources