Foreign Affairs Minister Radegonde meets Cuban president |02 February 2024

Foreign Affairs Minister Radegonde in talks with Cuban President Diaz-Canel (Photo: Contributed)

Enhancing cooperation between Seychelles and Cuba was among the topics discussed during the meeting between the Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde and the Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.  During the meeting, Minister Radegonde expressed deep appreciation of the government of Seychelles for the various support that the Cuban government has provided throughout the years in key fields such as health, education among others.

He also noted that through the Cuban education system, a lot of Seychellois have progressed in their careers to occupy key positions in the government and the private sector.

Minister Radegonde also commended President Miguel Díaz-Canel for his country's resilience and strong will, when faced with international issues.

“Seychelles maintains its stance in recognising the need to end the commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America on Cuba,” expressed Minister Radegonde.

As a fellow small island developing state (Sids), Minister Radegonde expressed the need to collaborate on the international platforms in areas that will mutually benefit both countries, such as the multidimensional vulnerable index and other Sids-related matters.

President Miguel Díaz-Cannel acknowledged the excellent bilateral relations between the two island nations; “Your visit to Cuba is a testament that the relationship between Seychelles and Cuba is solid. We appreciate the presence of the Seychelles President in the G77 and China Summit, which took place a couple of months ago in Havana; his presence was a key factor to our relations.”

President Diaz-Canel also expressed his gratitude to Seychelles for supporting Cuba's call to end the commercial and financial embargo imposed on it by the United States of America at the United Nations General Assembly.

During their meeting, the Cuban president cordially extended an invitation to the Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan to undertake an official visit to Cuba.

Minister Radegonde was accompanied at the meeting by Ian Madeleine, the non-resident Ambassador to Cuba and desk officer for Cuba, Louisa Lepathy.

Press release from the department of Foreign Affairs