Panama.- Cuban President, Raúl Castro Ruz, arrived on the evening of April 9, to Panama City to participate in the 7th Summit of the Americas, confirming Cuba’s first appearance at the event, an occasion described as historic and symbolic of the era of change which the continent is experiencing.
“Greetings from Cuba to the Panamanian people and government,” were the first words spoken by Raúl at the Panamá Pacífico airport, where dozens of journalists had gathered to report the news of the Army General’s arrival. The Cuban President was received by Luis Hincapié, deputy minister of Foreign Relations; Roberto Zúñiga Brid, director of Protocol and Ceremony of the Panamanian State; and Cuban Ambassador, Antonio Miguel Pardo Sánchez.
Minutes before landing, the deputy minister told the accredited Cuban press present in Panama, that the presence of Raúl in the country is much appreciated and recalled the strong ties which unite both nations. He mentioned the visits made by the Central American nation’s highest authorities to Cuba, as well as collaboration in the sectors of health, culture and sports. He emphasized the sending of young Panamanians to study medicine on the island, who then become “renowned professionals.” Finally, he noted that this is a historic Summit given Cuba’s participation.
As Raúl has stated in various spaces and on various occasions, the Cuban delegation is attending the 7th Summit of the Americas as equals and without conditions, in order to present, with the utmost respect, its positions on important topics for the region. This is the first time that the highest authorities of the 35 countries of the region are meeting to discuss important issues on the regional agenda.
According to the Summit program, scheduled to speak at the inauguration ceremony are; Ban Ki Moon, secretary general of the United Nations; and José Miguel Insulza, secretary general of the Organization of American States. It is also expected that Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will read a message of greeting from Pope Francisco and that finally, Juan Carlos Varela, President of the host country, will officially welcome the delegations.
The Cuban representation to the event also includes Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, ministers of Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade and Investment, respectively; Rogelio Sierra Díaz and Ana Teresita González Fraga, deputy ministers of Foreign relations; Ambassador, Pardo Sánchez and other MINREX officials.
