Gambia-Cuba intergovernmental commission opens

A two-day conference of the intergovernmental commission between the Republics of The Gambia and Cuba, yesterday, began at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.

The seventh session of the commission, which brought together secretaries of state, senior government officials, diplomats, and a cross section of development experts from the two countries, was described as timely, considering the fact that the two countries have over the years enjoyed bonds of friendship and bilateral cooperation.
 
The officials of the two countries discussed important issues pertaining to health, education, agriculture, and other development related challenges faced by the two countries.

Addressing the gathering of experts, Dr Omar Touray, the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, described the commission as yet another testimony of a joint commitment to reinforce the bilateral relation between the two countries.  He noted that the session will also give all stakeholders the opportunity to assess all what had been jointly achieved over the years, adding that it would further enable them to follow up on unresolved issues."

"With commitment and dedication by officials from countries, I am confident that the areas covered by our bilateral cooperation will be properly assessed thereby mapping out a path for the future,’ he said.

According to the Foreign Affairs secretary of state, the commission would also play a crucial role in the realisation of the goals and aspirations of our two peoples and it would promote ‘our shared values of solidarity, unity, peace, stability, and cooperation.

Dr Touray then expressed hope that at the end of the session, the commitment demonstrated by the leaders of the two countries and implemented by their representatives in Banjul would be translated into a more extensive Gambia-Cuban partnership.

For his part, Ramon Ripoll, the deputy minister for International Cooperation of Cuba, said, experts would have the opportunity to arrange cooperation activities that will be part of the programme of cooperation for the next two years. He went on to say that they are certain that these activities would strengthen the link, which will benefit both countries.

He noted that their experts participating in the commission had received instructions to find the best ways of cooperation that would allow mutual benefits for the two countries. He also called for realistic actions with a view to forster its successful implementation.

Deputy Minister Ripoll recalled that in 1995, the two governments signed the general agreement for cooperation, adding that from 1996 to 2007, the cooperation witnessed significant achievements. He cited the presence of 2195 Cuban health professionals, the training of doctors in The Gambia by the Cubans, as well as Gambian students pursuing higher education in Cuba as clear testimonies of a fruitful partnership.

The Cuban diplomat expressed optimism that the seventh session of the intergovernmental commission would mark a giant step in the existing bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.