Solomon Islands Ambassador to Cuba, Simeon Bouro has formally presented his original credentials to the Government of the Republic of Cuba last week.
Vice President of the Republic of Cuba, H.E. Madam Gladys Maria Bejerano Portela formally received Ambassador Bouro at the State Council Palace in Havana on Thursday.
Ambassador Bouro is now accredited as Solomon Islands first resident Ambassador to Cuba. He replaced former Ambassador to Cuba, H.E. Mr. Collin Beck, after his recall as non-resident Ambassador based in New York.
Prior to taking up the post as Ambassador to Cuba, Mr. Simeon Bouro served in various government posts, notably, chief consul officer in the Solomon Islands Consulate General Office in Brisbane, Australia from 1992 to 1998, Member of Parliament from 2001-2006, during which he held the portfolio of Minister for Communication and Aviation from 2004-2006.
According to established protocols, Ambassador Bouro prior to the ceremony, presented copies of his credentials to Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Ana Teresita Gonzalez Fraga on 19 March 2013, who acknowledged the presence of Solomon Islands in Cuba as the first resident Ambassador to Cuba from the Pacific region.
After the official ceremonies at the State Council Palace, Ambassador Bouro honored the tradition of laying a wreath at the monument of the Cuban Hero Jose Marti. He was accompanied by his wife Madam Eileen Itong Bouro, Counsellor Helen Beck and Third Secretary Vanessa Kenilorea from Solomon Islands New York Mission who are in Cuba setting up the Chancery for the Solomon Islands Embassy.
Ambassador Bouro expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome, hospitality and sincere good will of the Government and people of the Republic of Cuba.
He expressed to Vice President Portela, greetings from the Government and people of Solomon Islands and informed her that the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands will be visiting Cuba during the year after the completion of the office premises in Havana.
Ambassador Bouro on behalf of the Prime Minister and Government and people of Solomon Islands, sincerely thanked the Cuban Government for the genuine cooperation between Cuba and Solomon Islands that saw 98 medical students from the country being trained in various medical institutions in Cuba.
He said that health being a priority area for the Solomon Islands remained under serviced by qualified medical doctors and that when the students’ doctors graduate will be able to undertake provision and delivery of medical services to the wider rural population throughout Solomon Islands.
He thanked Cuba and accepted the offer of six medical scholarships for 2013 which should see 104 medical students studying in Cuba.
Ambassador Bouro also expressed Solomon Islands interest to expand cooperation to include sports, engineering, tourism, and agriculture and disaster management - areas that Cuba has vast experience that Solomon Islands as a small island country can learn from.
Ambassador Bouro also assured the Cuban Government of Solomon Islands support for Cuba at the United Nations and during his term will work closely to further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries.
He acknowledged his colleague the outgoing Solomon Islands Ambassador Mr. Beck for the work done in forging the relationship with Cuba that translate to the establishment of a Solomon Islands resident Embassy in Cuba.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit