Above: State Minister Arnoldo Brown, Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica Yuri Gala Lopez and Jamaica Foreign Minister Sen. AJ Nicholson (JIS Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica and Cuba this week marked the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two sides.

And the ties between the two sides remain strong, according to Jamaica Foreign Minister Sen. AJ Nicholson.

“We truly believe that Cuba is an integral partner, and should therefore be fully involved in hemispheric affairs,” he said. “Cuba has indeed been a true friend to Jamaica and undoubtedly will remain so.”

The Minister said Jamaica and Cuba had cooperated in a number of fields over the years, from health and tourism to security and education.

“We continue to pursue our common interest within the context of our own spirit of friendship and cooperation over many years and through people to people exchanges and high-level visits between both countries,” he said.

Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica Yuri Gala Lopez said Cuba would “never forget” the move by four CARICOM member states, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, to establish ties with the country in 1972.

“This actually marked the beginning of a close and excellent relationship of friendship, solidarity and cooperation that Cuba enjoys today with all CARICOM member states that have established diplomatic ties with Cuba,” Lopez said. “For Cuba it is not about giving others what we have to spare, but to modestly share the few resources that we have, as our contribution for the building of a better world.”