Text of a joint declaration issued Wednesday, January 22, by the
Foreign Ministers of Canada and Cuba
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Hon. Lloyd
Axworthy, visited the Republic of Cuba on Jan. 21 and 22, 1997,
responding to an invitation made to him by the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Cuba, His Excellency Roberto Robaina Gonzalez.
Minister Axworthy met with senior representatives of the Cuban
government, with whom he had the opportunity to exchange views on
various issues of the bilateral relationship, the realities of
both countries and international relations.
Ministers Axworthy and Robaina stated that as a result of
the continuing development in bilateral relations and high-level
discussions which have taken place in the past few months, Canada
and Cuba have agreed to advance towards new initiatives within
the framework of their bilateral relationship. These initiatives
encompass a wide range of political, economic and social issues.
In this context, they had the opportunity to assess a number of
areas in which both governments have agreed to work jointly.
Among these areas, the following examples can be cited:
1. Co-operation in the area of the administration of justice
and the judicial-legal system, including exchanges of judges and
judicial training.
2. Support exchanges between the House of Commons and the
National Assembly, focusing on the operations of both
institutions.
3. Exchange of experiences between both countries relating to
the Cuban intention to strengthen within the National Assembly of
the People's Power a Citizens' Complaints Commission.
4. Broadening and deepening co-operation on the issue of human
rights, which will include the preparation of seminars on diverse
matters of mutual interest, academic exchanges between officials,
professionals and experts, as well as sharing experiences and
positions on the work of the specialized organizations of the
United Nations.
5. Supporting the activities of Canadian and Cuban
non-governmental organizations within the framework of bilateral
co-operation between both countries and in accordance with the
laws and regulations of each country.
6. Continuation of macroeconomic co-operation, with an initial
focus in the areas of taxation and central banking, while
studying joint areas in which Canada might continue to support
the Cuban policy of economic reform.
7. The negotiation of a Foreign Investment Protection and
Promotion Agreement.
8. Further collaboration on narcotics interdiction, including
the negotiation of a bilateral accord.
9. The establishment of bilateral conversations on the issue of
international terrorism and its prevention.
10. The negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding between
Health Canada and the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba.
11. The negotiation of an audio-visual co-production agreement.
12. The renewal of a bilateral sports co-operation accord.
13. The exploration of possibilities for joint research and
development and co-operation projects in developing countries in
the areas of health and environment.
14. The provision of food aid in response to the damage caused
by Hurricane Lili. Ministers Axworthy and Robaina welcomed these
initiatives as a further example of the constructive
collaboration which exists between both their respective
governments and looked forward to continuing to work in the
future on bilateral co-operation on a broad range of economic and
social issues.
Shawgi Tell
University at Buffalo
Graduate School of Education
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
