Lesotho, Cuba co-op has enjoyed remarkable development - King 

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, Mrs. Esther Armenteros, presented her letters of credence to King Letsie III at the Royal Palace in Maseru on February 26.

Accepting her letters, King Letsie III said diplomatic relations and cooperation between Lesotho and Cuba have enjoyed remarkable development since 1979 as evidenced by the continued political and economic exchanges between the two countries.

The commitment of the two governments in the implementation of the Joint Commission for economic, scientific and technical cooperation whose fruits Lesotho is enjoying its fruits in an enormous and rapid way are a pleasure to recognise and appreciate.

"We note with appreciation that there are 40 Cuban doctors already operating in different government hospitals throughout Lesotho", the King said.

The appointment of the new Ambassador to Lesotho comes at the time when the bilateral cooperation has recently been extended beyond the health sector, now including agriculture, local government, culture, natural resources, science and Technology as well as human resource development.

Lesotho believes that the appointment will provide another unique opportunity to pursue common goals in a manner most beneficial to the two countries peoples, the King said.

Ambassador Armenteros said in her turn that the recent, very successful visit of the Prime Minister of Lesotho to Cuba was a momentous occasion to review how much the relation's of friendship and cooperation between the two countries have developed and strengthened.

During the visit it was also evident that there was an understanding, respect as well as the agreement by the two leaders on many issues of common interest, but above all a commitment to cooperate with one another and be an example of South Cooperation. Ii is in this spirit, that 40 of her country's doctors are working in Lesotho, particularly in the rural areas while Basotho students are enjoying scholarships in Cuba, the Ambassador said.

The last Joint Commission of Economic Cooperation identified other areas in which the Cuban side is willing to offer its expertise such as education, water affairs pharmaceutical, production and housing,  mention a few, she said.

26 February 2004