The signing of an agreement that will give rise to the Caribbean Customs Organization was the focus of the opening day of the 41st Annual Conference of the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council, held May 22 through 24 in Havana’s Hotel Nacional, with the presence of representatives from more than 20 countries.
During the event - held for the first time in Cuba - Nelson Cordovés Reyes, head of the General Customs of the Republic, assured that the new instrument will provide the organization with greater recognition and legal force at the regional and international levels, and will allow for further advancements in integration, beyond diversity.
Cordovés also noted that the consolidation of a consensus of unity in action, regardless of positions that may differ in certain aspects, will allow other signatories to join once the process of legal assessment in each nation concludes, after which the creation of the new organization will be announced.
Meisi Bolaños Weiss, Cuban minister of Finance and Prices, stressed the importance of the conference as a platform to consolidate cooperation and unity of action in the area, while reiterating the position of the Cuban government in defense of multilateralism and respect for sovereignty and self-determination.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Treviño, deputy secretary general of the World Customs Organization, acknowledged Cuba’s work in this area and its growing leadership in the region. “Its influence will strengthen the new organization, which should contribute to the development of more effective coordination mechanisms,” he said.
IN CONTEXT:
— The customs cooperation between Cuba and the Greater Caribbean dates back to the 1970s.
— The Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council emerged at the XII annual meeting, held in Miami on November 7, 1989, with the presence of 21 countries.
— Cuba was previously prevented from joining this organization due to the interventionism of U.S. administrations.
— The General Customs of the Republic is a control body that guarantees the security and protection of Cuba’s socialist society and the national economy, as well as tax collection and foreign trade statistics.
