New Cuban ambassador-designate pays courtesy call on Minister Radegonde   |28 September 2021

Ambassador Caneiro and her husband (2nd and 1st from left respectively) in a souvenir photograph with Minister Radegonde and his team from the department of Foreign Affairs

Martha Hernandez Caneiro, ambassador-designate of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Seychelles, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, yesterday at Maison Quéau de Quinssy.

Ambassador Caneiro was accompanied by her husband, Tomas Mendez, who is also the Minister Councilor at the Cuban embassy.

She will be presenting her credentials to the President of the Republic, Wavel Ramkalawan, today at State House.

Both diplomats discussed the excellent relations that exist between Seychelles and Cuba and the bilateral cooperation, namely in the medical and education sectors.

Minister Radegonde took the opportunity to thank the Cuban government for the many scholarships provided over the years and continued support for the Seychelles students, especially in the medical field.

Minister Radegonde furthermore praised the Cuban government for its scientific progress in developing their own vaccines against Covid-19, which will see 90% of the Cuban population vaccinated by the end of the year.

Ambassador Caneiro also added that “having vaccinated much of its population, Cuba will soon follow in Seychelles’ footsteps in re-opening its borders to tourism, by end of November”.

Also present at the meeting were principal secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Vivianne Fock Tave; Ambassador Lalatiana Accouche; director general for Bilateral Affairs, Lindy Ernesta and principal counsellor for Bilateral Affairs, Myrna Hoareau.

Ambassador Martha Caneiro will be based at the embassy of Cuba at Bel Eau and will replace outgoing ambassador Juan Pino.

Seychelles and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1978.

Press release from the department of Foreign Affairs