The commitment to continue supporting Cuba in its fight against the unjust economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States was reaffirmed by Javanshir Salehov, chargé d’affaires for the Republic of Azerbaijan in Havana, during a political-cultural event held at the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).
On the occasion of the commemoration of the country’s national holiday and the 101st anniversary of its independence, the diplomat emphasized that the Azerbaijani government and people will always stand beside their Cuban brothers and sisters, since they understand the suffering caused by the interventionist, extraterritorial policies of the White House.
He also discussed the historical efforts made by his country to overcome the difficult moments of economic crisis experienced in the 1990s with the fall of the socialist camp and especially the Soviet Union, noting, “Today we have become a multicultural, multinational country where different religions converge and we want to become a tourist pole in the region.”
For her part, Noemí Ravaza, first vice president of ICAP, reiterated the friendship and love that has united Cubans and Azerbaijanis over the 27 years of uninterrupted relations between the two governments, marked by an affinity in diverse areas such as arts, sports, culture, education, tourism, and political cooperation.
She thanked the Azerbaijani government and people for their solidarity and unconditional support in the fight against the blockade, which today is aggravated with the implementation of the Helms-Burton Act’s Title III.
"I salute the ongoing closeness we share with this sister country, its interrupted vote in favor of Cuba’s resolution in the United Nations General Assembly against the blockade since 1998," the official stated.
Ravaza invited businesses and companies from Azerbaijan to participate in the XXXVII International Fair of Havana, to learn about trade opportunities, the Cuban market, and identifiy possible joint ventures. She also highlighted the arrival of Azeri tourists to the island, noting the intention of the Caucasian country to strengthen bilateral ties.
She called for giving solidarity actions a greater dimension to further strengthen the two countries’ friendly relations, at a time when international solidarity means a great deal to Cuba, reaffirming the island’s “will to continue developing the ties between our countries,” and to conclude, wishing Azerbaijan “success in the construction of a prosperous, sustainable, and peaceful country."
