Cuba-Venezuela New steps toward unity
• CUBAN First Vice President Raúl Castro and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez presided in Havana over the signing of 14 documents that expand and deepen economic and commercial relations between their countries.
Five memorandums of understanding, two letters of intent, a cooperation agreement, the creation of two joint ventures and three contracts for oil exploration comprised the new documents signed by the two leaders for their countries as part of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA).
As a culmination, Chávez signed a presidential decree authorizing the creation of a joint venture to install, operate and maintain an international communications system between Cuba and Venezuela.
Speaking at the official ceremony in the International Convention Center, Raúl Castro affirmed that the signing of these new agreements is a significant contribution to the growing process of unity and integration between the two nations.
Raúl noted that on October 30, 2001, presidents Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez signed an Integral Cooperation Agreement with terms expressing their determination to advance resolutely toward the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean.
That agreement was followed by a joint declaration and another agreement establishing the foundations for the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), summing up the essential principles that guide our activities, Raúl explained.
The first vice president recalled a section of the text that stated how commerce and investment should not be ends in and of themselves, but instruments for attaining just and sustainable development.
True Latin American and Caribbean integration cannot be the blind offspring of the market, or a simple strategy for expanding foreign markets or stimulating trade, that document stated.
In order to achieve that, the effective participation of the state is required as a regulator and coordinator of economic activities, according to the ALBA agreement cited by the Cuban first vice president.
Working on these principles, economic ties have grown steadily, and on these bases, 19 economic associations were formed, which are joined by the initiatives signed on this occasion, and which will not be the last, given that work is already underway on drawing up others.
He added that bilateral trade is likewise experiencing sustained growth, with a clear tendency to diversification.
At the same time, cooperative relations are being consolidated with 352 projects in 28 sectors for economic and social development, which constitutes an essential element of the integration that Simón Bolívar and José Martí fought for, he affirmed.
Raúl noted that the social missions that began in Venezuela are now traveling to other nations on the continent via the ALBA. New initiatives have emerged, such as the Energy Revolution Mission underway in 14 countries, and Operation Miracle, which has enabled more than 862,000 Latin American and Caribbean people to recover their vision, he added.
The ALBA has been strengthened with the addition of Bolivia and Nicaragua, and other sister nations will join as well, in a growing way, he said.
The likewise minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) affirmed that Chávez’ heartfelt and sincere tribute to Che during his "Alo, Presidente" program on Sunday, October 14, and his fraternal live conversation with Fidel deeply affected the Cuban people, "who know how to appreciate patriotism and the internationalist convictions of a true revolutionary."
"I reaffirm to you, my dear brother, a feeling that we know perfectly well: Fidel’s love, respect and admiration for you, for Venezuela and for our peoples of the Americas is also mine, and that of 11 million Cubans," Raúl concluded.
CHAVEZ RE-PROPOSES IDEA FOR A FEDERATION OF UNITED NATIONS
For his part, President Hugo Chávez expressed his pleasure over the new agreements signed by Cuba, and re-proposed his idea of creating a federation of united nations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Chávez emphasized that Latin America’s independence leaders did not use the word integration; they used the word unity, which is a more profound concept, he noted.
In a speech after the signing of the documents, the Bolivarian leader said that union is the community of nations, respecting sovereignty but working on projects together.
He insisted that the region should become a political and economic power, and called on unity of the peoples "at top speed, to continue consolidating that union, which will help us to be stronger."
"This is not a dream. No. This is not an illusion. No," he stated, adding, "This is not a chimera; only unity creates the strength needed to be free."
Chávez said that the countries of the region also need economic, scientific/technical, energy and food independence, at a time when the United States and the European Union are bent on colonizing the Americas once again.
The Venezuelan leader called for placing top priority on food production, in order to diversify and increase agricultural products by concentrating their best researchers and scientists on that, and on acquiring machinery, seeds and fertilizers.
He said that Cuba and Venezuela could convert this region into an economic power, even with its limitations.
Chávez described his visit to Cuba as special. He met with President Fidel Castro, broadcast his "Aló, Presidente" program dedicated to Ernesto Che Guevara, visited the Cienfuegos refinery and was present at the signing of new agreements with the island.
On the Cuban side, those attending the ceremony included Vice President Carlos Lage; Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés; Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque; and Marta Lomas, minister of foreign investment and economic cooperation.
On the Venezuelan side, those present included the ministers of foreign affairs, Nicolás Maduro; energy and oil, Rafael Ramírez; telecommunications, Jesse Chacón; and basic industry and mining, José S. Khan.
Other ministers and officials from both nations also participated.
- Documents signed by Cuba and Venezuela
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