DUSHANBE, May 27, Asia-Plus — A government-to-government agreement on cooperation between Cuba and Tajikistan will be signed in the near future, Cuban Ambassador to Tajikistan, Ms. Terisita Kapote Kamacho (phonetically spelled) remarked at a press conference in Dushanbe on May 27, following his meeting with President Emomali Rahmon.
She also expressed hope that a Tajik-Cuban economic commission will be set up after that. According to her, after the collapse of the Socialist Camp Cuba’s gross domestic product dropped 35 percent and the country experienced serious economic difficulties. “However, since 1995, the country has begun resolving the crisis and economic growth for 2007 stood at 12.5 percent,” Cuban diplomat said.
Asked about the possible cooperation between the two countries in planting sugarcane, Ms. Kamacho said the Cuba had reduced the sugarcane production to the volume necessary to meet the country’s requirements only.
“But on the other hand, we now stand in the fourth place globally in production of nickel and we have started developing oil deposits in the Gulf of Mexico,” said the envoy. “Our country now has the main income from production of medicines.”
On the present relations between Cuba and Tajikistan, Ms. Kamacho said that parliamentary groups of friendship and cooperation currently function and close cooperation had been established between the health ministries of the two countries.
“I hope Tajikistan will also open its diplomatic mission in Havana,” Cuban diplomat said.
