Press Release: Grenada Parliamentary Delegation Visits Cuba
A delegation from Grenada, led by Senator the Hon. Dr. Dessima M. Williams, President of the Senate, visited the Republic of Cuba from September 15 to 20. Accompanying her were Deputy President of the Senate, Hon. Norland Cox, and Senator the Hon. Quinc Britton, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Creative Economy.
The visit was in response to an invitation from His Excellency Senor Esteban Lazo Hernandez, President of Cuba’s National Assembly of Popular Power. Described as a landmark event, the visit was deemed a success by all participants.
During their stay, the delegation had a courtesy meeting with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, who expressed his satisfaction with the strong bilateral relations between Grenada and Cuba.
In discussions at the parliamentary level, the President of the National Assembly welcomed the delegation and emphasized the importance of closer ties between their respective parliaments. Notably, Cuba’s parliament boasts a youth representation of 20% and 55% female representation, the second highest globally, while Grenada’s figures stand at 32%. The delegation received an invitation for Grenada to join Paralatino, an organization of Latin American and Caribbean parliaments currently chaired by Cuba.
A highlight of the visit was the delegation’s participation in a two-day seminar on “Parliamentary Diplomacy,” attended by representatives from over 20 parliaments worldwide. A declaration was adopted, emphasizing the significance of ongoing parliamentary engagement for peace, development, and understanding. The declaration called for the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and an end to the 60-year economic and political blockade, positions strongly supported by Grenada.
The delegation also engaged in several bilateral meetings, including discussions with the Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment (SITMA) and the National Chamber of Commerce of Cuba, where ongoing bilateral agreements were addressed. Additionally, they visited the Fidel Castro Ruz Centre and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Historic Old Havana.
A key component of the visit included activities organized by the Grenadian Embassy in Cuba, which featured a meeting with Grenadian students in Havana, a luncheon with CARICOM ambassadors accredited to Cuba, a reunion with Cubans of Grenadian descent, and a special dinner hosted by His Excellency Senor Halim Majeed, Ambassador of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to Cuba.
Overall, the six-day visit significantly strengthened bilateral relations across various sectors of Grenadian society.
