European Union and Cuba launch joint development project

 SANTA CLARA, Cuba, Feb 15 (ACN) With a view to new cooperation program centered on the strengthening of municipal economy, Cuba and the European Union (EU) are launching Area One of their multiannual indicative program, called Economic Transition and Sustainable Municipality, at Universidad Central de Las Villas.

Presiding the event were Juan Garay Amores, head of Cooperation at the EU office in Cuba; Inalvis Bonachea González, director of Trade Policy with Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment; and Alfredo García, director of the National Institute of Economic Research (INIE).

Bonachea González explained the intention is to ratify EU and Cuba’s commitment to strengthen bilateral ties based on respect, transparency and trust, in keeping with the political dialogue and cooperation agreement signed by both parties.

She referred to Cuba’s current economic hardship as a result of the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade, COVID-19 and climate change, hence the importance of this new cooperation program to strengthen economy at municipal level.

“The ongoing multiannual indicative program agreed between Cuba and the EU is aimed at making our municipalities agro-energetically sustainable with emphasis on environmental components, making the most of all economic actors and increasing trade and investment opportunities,” Bonachea Gonzalez said.