Cuba, Venezuela Promote New Integration Processes

Cuba, Venezuela Promote New Integration ProcessesCaracas, Mar 21. -Cuba and Venezuela promoted new integration processes on the continent because both revolutions were aiming for reunification of the great Latin American nation, Electricitcy Minister Ali Rodriguez stated Monday.

During the creation of the 11th Cuba-Venezuela Intergovernmental Commission in this capital, Rodriguez told Prensa Latina it was perfectly understandable that in addition to efforts for unity between the two people, they should actively work for integration beyond their borders.

Both countries came from the vision of Jose Marti and Bolivar for a unified Latin America, although the continent has been fragmented and divided due to external and internal causes, he said.

"What we want is to overcome that fragmentation that became weaknesses for each of our nations, previously isolated from each other," the official noted.

Trade between Havana and Caracas is increasing from just 40 million USD when President Hugo Chavez and his cabinet took office in 1999.

This is a process with new principles, where instead of competition and the domination of the weak by the powerful, what prevails is economic complementation, cooperation, solidarity and respect for sovereignty, he commented.

The 11th Cuba-Venezuela Intergovernmental Commission, which began Sunday at the Hotel Alba Caracas, marks a new step forward and the reinforcement of achievements in social, economic and technological fields, the minister said.

Education, health and the productive sector are among the programs promoted, in which work will continue on the basis of experience and and requirements that arise from day to day experience.

Monday, when the 11th Intergovernmental Commission ends, presentations will be made of the projects discussed by the joint commission for 2011.

Ricardo Cabrisas, vice president of the Cuban Council of Ministers and Venezuelan Energy and Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez presided over the meeting. (Prensa Latina)