Background
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were initially established on October 28, 1955. In 1963, Pakistan established an embassy in Cuba, with Cuba reciprocating. However, the embassy was closed in 1968 and reopened in 1980. But it was again closed in 1990 due to economic problems.
[1] From that time until 2005, the countries did not have any formal relations. It was only after the
2005 Kashmir earthquake when Cuba sent humanitarian aid to the disaster victims that the opportunities were observed to re-established the diplomatic ties.
[2] Continued diplomatic relations between the two countries is quite recent.
[3] In 2006, both Cuba and Pakistan showed willingness to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf and Deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba
Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla held a meeting on May 24, 2006 to discuss bilateral matters.
[4] On November 1, 2006, Cuban ambassador to Pakistan Gustavo Machin Gomez announced in a press conference that Cuba and Pakistan have had diplomatic relations for last six months and that both the nations "want to improve these relations in all fields".
[5] In April 2008, the Federal Cabinet of Pakistan approved negotiations on the agreement between
Havana and
Islamabad to form Pakistan-Cuba Joint Economic Commission with the goal to expand economic cooperation between the two nations. The bilateral talks were also intended to enhance cooperation in the fields of agriculture, industry, food, higher education and science and technology.
[6]
Cuban response to the Kashmir earthquake
After the
2005 Kashmir earthquake, Cuba sent over 2,400 physicians and paramedical staff and established 32 field hospitals and two relief camps in the
North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and
Azad Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 36 transport flights were made. In addition to nurses, paramedics and doctors the initial two flights were only of military trained physicians. Tons of medical equipment and medicines were sent by the government of Cuba. Approximately 30 amputee patients were flown to Cuba for treatments.
Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf expressed his contentment at the efforts of
Fidel Castro and appreciated the services of the Cuban medical teams.
[4] Dr. Juan Carlos Martín, Director of the Cuban field hospital in
Muzaffarabad, said "We knew this had to be a closed-loop relief effort. Not only did we have to bring the medicines and the doctors, we had to provide everything – the hospital, the electricity, the plumbing, the beds – to run that hospital". From October, 2005 to January 24, 2006, Cuban medical teams performed 601,369 consultations, 5,925 surgeries including 2,819 major surgeries and served at 44 different locations in the quake-affected region.
[7]
A statement issued by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that "President Pervez Musharraf expressed profound gratitude of the government and people of Pakistan for the substantial assistance provided by Cuba in the relief and rehabilitation work". The statement also stated that "the President said that Cuba's contribution to our relief efforts would always be remembered by the people of Pakistan".
[4]
Usman Zaheer Meer established a friendship Association with Cuba in 2006, namely Pak Cuba Friendship Association.
[8]
Messages between two Heads of states
In 2007, Pervez Musharraf declared that the bilateral relations should be made stronger in coming years and paid respect to the Revolution Day on January 1.
[9] In a message to the then Cuban President Fidel Castro, Musharraf said:
"On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan and my own behalf, it gives me immense pleasure to congratulate your excellency and the government and people of Cuba on the occasion of revolution day of the Republic of Cuba. I avail myself of this opportunity to convey to your excellency our best wishes for your speedy recovery and the continued progress and prosperity of the people of the Republic of Cuba."
[9]
After
Raúl Castro became
President of Cuba, Musharraf congratulated his presidency and sent a message to him:
"On behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, and on my own behalf, I wish to extend our warmest felicitations on your election as the President of the Republic of Cuba .
Your Excellency's elevation to this high office bears testimony to the trust and confidence reposed by the people of Cuba in your accomplished leadership and outstanding services.
Pakistan and Cuba share common ideals and perceptions for a better and more equitable world. I am confident that the existing friendly and cooperative ties between Pakistan and Cuba will continue to expand and deepen during your term of office.
I avail myself of this opportunity to wish every success in your endeavours for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Cuba .
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration."
[10]
Cuba–Pakistan relations - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
