HAVANA, June 5, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Cuba's President Raul Castro (Front) takes part in the 7th Summit of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in Havana, Cuba, on June 4, 2016. The 7th summit of the ACS concluded on Saturday with the approval of the Havana declaration, which touches on political issues, such as the U.S. blockade on Cuba and the Venezuelan crisis. The bloc also approved a joint action plan for the next two years, which will increase economic and commercial cooperation among the member nations. (Xinhua/Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate)
HAVANA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Summit of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), which concluded here Saturday, showed the region's capability to agree on positions on dealing with common challenges, said Cuban leader Raul Castro.
Agreements reached at the summit proved that the Caribbean nations can find a consensus on sensitive issues and persevere in search for their solutions, said Castro in a speech at the end of the summit.
The summit was attended by 19 prime ministers and heads of state of the 25 member-countries of the organization.
The Cuban leader and host of the regional meeting stressed that the Declaration of Havana agreed upon at the summit ratifies the ACS founding principles as a mechanism for consultation, consensus and cooperation to adopt common positions and promote integration.
The Declaration recognizes the threats and challenges faced by the Caribbean nations in order to reach sustainable development, and the need to strengthen regional cooperation to solve problems posed by economic crisis and climate change.
The Declaration ratifies as well the responsibility of the member countries for building more just societies, protecting human rights and eradicating hunger and poverty.
Castro also praised the action plan adopted by the summit for 2016-2018, which aims to stimulate tourism development in the region and trade, economic, and cultural and educational cooperation between the Caribbean countries and the rest of the world.
The summit also made a special statement on the situation in Venezuela, calling for the reopening of an effective dialogue between its government and the opposition.
This dialogue should be conducive to political stability and socioeconomic development in Venezuela, said the statement.
The member states elected St. Lucia diplomat June Soomer as the new secretary general of the organization in replace for Alfonso Munera from Colombia, who has headed the ACS for the last four years.
The ACS was created in July, 1994 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. It groups 25 members.
With the summit, Cuba wishes to strengthen the role of the ACS by boosting cooperation and consultation among its members.
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Caribbean unity hailed as regional summit closes
HAVANA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Raul Castro on Saturday in Havana spoke highly of the signing of the Havana declaration by the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and hailed regional unity.
The 7th summit of the ACS concluded on Saturday with the approval of the Havana declaration, which touches on political issues, such as the U.S. blockade on Cuba and the Venezuelan crisis. The bloc also approved a joint action plan for the next two years, which will increase economic and commercial cooperation among the member nations.Full Story
