Cuba is interested in Mauritius

Enrique Prieto Lopez, ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, is currently in Mauritius with the aim of strengthening the links between the two islands and to look for future cooperation programmes in different sectors of the economy. The Independent met the Cuban ambassador who is in Mauritius till May 8.

What is the purpose of your visit to Mauritius?

The main objective is to strengthen the mutual and historical relations between our two countries. We wish to promote political, cultural, commercial and financial cooperation. We would also like to thank the Mauritian government for its support in the fight for lifting of the over 50-year-old US blockade against Cuba. We also want to reiterate our support to the Mauritian government in its demand to not establish the marine protected area in the Chagos Island because these islands belong to Mauritius. It is Mauritius’ right to demand these territories.

How are the relations between Mauritius and Cuba?

Both countries have very good political relations and we are working together to reinforce cooperation in different areas such as commercial, scientific and economic fields. Although Cuba is far from Mauritius, we have many things in common. Mauritius has also been doing very well in terms of commerce and technologies despite the difficult world economic situation. We want both countries to help each other and to have brotherhood relations, not commercial ones.

What about Cuba’s relations with the US?

The Cuban people, its government, National Assembly, trade unions and organisations started the year with the continuation of the battle against the US blockade. We want American-Cubans to travel freely to Cuba but the blockade is still intact. We are also fighting for the liberation of our five heroes who in a US prison.

During your last visit to Mauritius in June 2010, you talked about the establishment of ties between the two countries, especially in the health sector. Where does that matter stand?

Last year, we presented a special project titled Heberprot-P to the Mauritian government. Heberprot-P is a medicine for diabetic foot ulcer and can help in the treatment of diabetes patients, especially to avoid amputation. Mauritian authorities are analysing the proposal and we hope that in the future we can cooperate in this field and in other areas such as biotechnology, agriculture, education and sports.

Mauritius and Cuba are famous for their sugar production. How do you think the two countries can join hands to promote this industry?

The sugar industry is another sector in which the two islands can cooperate as they both have good expertise. Despite the closure of many sugar mills, we can work together to revive the sugar industry. We can conduct a joint investigation to know how this industry has been affected by the world crisis. We can also diversify this industry by deriving more by-products.

What is your message to Mauritians?

We have a common goal of solidarity and cooperation in many fields. We have to unite to fight for development.