Cuba and Canada reaffirm its solidarity and friendship

The President of the School of Studies on Canada of the University of Havana said on Tuesday in the Cuban capital that the encounter during the 15th International Seminar on Canadian Studies is an expression of friendship and solidarity between both peoples.

The event, to conclude on Thursday in Havana, will contribute in the development of academic cooperation and the joint construction of knowledge like interpersonal relations, she said.

She also pointed out that this will strengthen the friendship between both peoples especially when we are now celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Confederation in the context of the 26th Havana International Book Fair.

Canada's ambassador to Cuba Patrick Parisot said that the seminar is an important example of friendship between both countries and highlighted the role of the exchanges between students aimed at learning on the diversity of both nations.

Elio Rodriguez Perdomo, Director of Europe and Canada of the Foreign Affairs Ministry assued that the studies and research developed by the University of Havana and other counterparts across the country contributes, from an academic point of view, promotion to bilateral ties.

He expressed that Canadians are the first nation with most tourists to visit Cuba and one of the main trading partner for Cuba, one of the main source of foreign investment and important contributor to cooperation.

Cuba has great interest in broadening, diversifying and strengthening relations with Canada in all sectors of interests and mutual benefit, among them environment and climate change, mining, energy, including sources of renewable energy, tourism, culture and academic, said Rodriguez Perdomo.

The International Seminar on Canadian Studies of the University of Havana is held every year since 2000 sponsored by the Canadian embassy in Havana and jointly coordinated with the Cuban Foreign Ministry and Higher Education Ministry.

This year's edition included the participation of the Higher Institute of International Relations, the Enrique Jose Varona Pedagogical Science University and Dalhousi University, public center of Canadian Research based in New Scotia.

Among the renowned figures attending the seminar were writer, novelist, essayist and scriptwriter Thomas King and his wife, specialist Helen Hoy and also intellectuals Wayde Compton and Christy Jordan Fenton and professor Keren Dubinsky.