RP , CUBA AGREE ON SPECIFIC ENDEAVORS AT CLOSE OF
2007 RP-CUBA JOINT COMMISSION MEETINGS IN HAVANA  

21 June 2007 — Philippine Ambassador to Cuba George Reyes reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Philippines and Cuba on agreed on specific cooperative endeavors in the fields of science and technology, culture and the arts, heritage restoration and sports at the close of the Philippines-Cuba Joint Commission Meetings in Havana on 20 June 2007.  

“At the conclusion of the 1^st meeting of the Joint Commission on Consultations and Cooperation and the 2^nd meeting of the Joint Commission on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro of the Department of Science and Technology and Minister Marta Lomas Morales of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation signed the joint communiqué embodying the program for cooperative projects during the 2007 to 2009 period,” Ambassador Reyes said.  The meetings began on 18 June 2007.  

According to Ambassador Reyes, the added value of the two sessions has been the agreement reached on specific cooperative endeavors.  

In science and technology, the Philippines and Cuba agreed to pursue projects on human resource capacity building and research in the application of genetic engineering technologies to improve biotechnology, promote the protection of the environment and develop diagnostic kits and vaccines.  

In culture and the arts, the two countries would collaborate in activities such as the organization of writers’ workshops, art exhibitions, and film festivals, as well as the exchange of visits by specialists.  

In sports, Mr. William I. Ramirez, Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), pursued networking with Cuban sports authorities and received assurances of support in the implementation of the existing sports agreement between the Philippines and Cuba . The Philippines intends to learn from the best practices of Cuba in improving the performance of its athletes, particularly in boxing and athletics.  

Other areas of cooperation that were discussed in detail were education, heritage conservation, the campaign against illegal drugs, trade, the environment, and biotechnology products.  

According to Ambassador Reyes, “the sessions were very fruitful encounters that have led to a quantitative and qualitative improvement in the bilateral relations between our two countries.”  

During their three-day stay in Havana , Secretary Alabastro also met with the Ministers of Science and Technology and the Environment, Public Health, Agriculture, as well as the Vice Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Culture. She also visited the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and the Finlay Vaccine Research Institute.  

Led by Secretary Alabastro, the Philippine delegation was composed of Ambassador Reyes, Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul, Jr.; DFA Office of American Affairs Executive Director Leoncio R. Cardenas, Jr.; Mr. Nestor O. Jardin of CCP; Mr. William Ramirez of the PSC; Executive Director Jaime C. Montoya of the Philippine Council for Public Health Research and Development; Mr. Ariel R. Peñaranda of the DFA; Ms. Elenita M. Leus of DOST; and Mr. Wilfredo C. Roldan of the PSC.  END

/jay

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