The new resident Cuban Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Mr Juan Humberto Macías Pino, presented his credentials to President Danny Faure at State House today.

President Faure congratulated Ambassador Pino on his appointment and wished him the very best for his tenure in office, as Seychelles and Cuba continue to have excellent relations. The President once again offered his sympathy on behalf of the people of Seychelles for the recent death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro.

The President and the Ambassador spoke about key areas of cooperation such as health, education, and agriculture, and committed to look into other areas of common interest. President Faure expressed gratitude for the unwavering assistance of Cuba in the development and sustainability of the health system in Seychelles.

“We are very grateful that the cooperation in the field of health has allowed us to have Cuban doctors here in Seychelles, it is because of them that we have been able to sustain the health system. It is important for us today to thank the Cuban government, as you make sacrifices in sending Cuban doctors here. I know it falls within your international mission that you send doctors across the globe, but they have their own families and they sacrifice two years away from home. We value and sincerely appreciate the contribution of the Cuban doctors in our health system,” said the President.

President Faure and Ambassador Pino also shared mutual interest in cooperating in the field of environment, such as addressing the issue of climate change.

“First of all, I would like to thank the people of Seychelles for the support they have always offered to our country, in the voting against the blockade, as well as in other international forums. I also reiterate our country’s willingness to continue the cooperation with the people of Seychelles in the fields of health and education, and to explore other areas of common interest such as the environment,” said Ambassador Pino to the national media following the meeting.

Also present at the meeting were the Secretary of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Barry Faure, the Secretary of State for Presidential Affairs, Mrs Aude Labaleine, Diplomatic Advisor to the President, Ambassador Callixte D’offay, Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Affairs, Mrs Jacqueline Moustache-Belle, and Ambassador Pino’s wife, Mrs Luz Alina Santana Suarez.