Cuba Urges Zimbabwe to Safeguard Sovereignty

Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Fidel Castro of Cuba. The two nations have a long record of solidarity and mutual cooperation., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Cuba urges Zim to safeguard sovereignty

Saturday, 20 April 2013 00:26
Herald Reporter

Zimbabwe and Cuba have been urged to safeguard their common goals of defending the gains of their hard-won independence and their legitimate national interests.

Speaking at celebrations of the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between

Cuba and Zimbabwe yesterday, Cuban ambassador Mr Enrique Prieto Lopez said the two countries had common goals of defending their legitimate national interests.

“It is a joy that both countries continue the construction of a new society for the wealth of their respective peoples and in defence of their legitimate national interests, in solidarity with all sister nations and international progressive forces of the world,” he said.

Ambassador Lopez said the occasion was important for both countries to understand a common fight in solidarity against the Western sanctions.

“This is again an occasion to understand our common fight in solidarity against the Western sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and the 54-year-old criminal economical, financial and commercial US blockade imposed on Cuba,” he said.

Mr Lopez congratulated President Mugabe and the entire nation for the Independence Day which was celebrated on Thursday.

“The independence celebrations held at the National Sports Stadium were an occasion for me to convey the congratulatory message of President Raul Castro Ruz to President Robert Mugabe ratifying to him to further strengthen the bonds of relationship and co-operation existing between our two countries,” he said.

Speaking at the same occasion, Namibian ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Panduleni Shingenge applauded President Mugabe for embarking on the land reform programme.

She said the exercise was successful and a correct move in empowering the majority.

“On behalf of the Namibian Government, I would like to applaud President Mugabe for embarking on the land reform which gave back the land to the black majority,” said Dr Shingenge.

“The land reform in Zimbabwe is a successful development and other countries in the region should emulate what President Mugabe has done.”

Zimbabwe-Cuba Friendship Association (ZICUFA) chairman Mr Fananidzo Pesanai said Cuba and Zimbabwe demonstrated unity through practical actions.

The occasion was attended by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the Zimbabwe Committee for Liberation of Cuba, members of the Cuban Medical Brigade and members of the diplomatic corps.