Optimism over Cuba
DESPITE vast differences there is much Cuba and New Zealand can learn from each other, the island nation’s ambassador says.
Mario Alzugaray is on a fourday tour of Dunedin, which includes attending the Labour Party conference and speaking with deputy mayor Chris Staynes.
While both countries were considerably different geographically and socially, the two island nations could learn from each other, Mr Alzugaray said.
New Zealand’s advanced social development and justice systems were two areas Cuba was interested in learning from, he said.
Also, biotechnology, health and education were areas where Dunedin and Cuba could collaborate.
‘‘We are looking at science and the development of biotechnology, and I understand health and health sciences are very much a focus of the Otago University and the wider region, so this is something we should explore,’’ the ambassador said.
Both countries were also focused on humanitarian and development work in the Pacific.
Recent changes in Cuban society and government meant the country was quickly joining the rest of the globalised world but at its core it was still a socialist society, he said.
‘‘A lot of people these days tell ‘now that Cuba is opening up’ but we have been open most of the time — but it’s our neighbour who is telling the rest of the world we are closed.’’
The implications
of
the United States’ embargo were still being felt but Cuba and New Zealand’s relationship was healthy, he said.
Before taking up the ambassador’s role in 2015, Mr Alzugaray was a diplomat in China and speaks fluent Mandarin.
While in Dunedin he and his family would visit some of the city’s tourism attractions, he said.
‘‘I’ll take my kids to the albatross centre and a few other places which I have been told are very beautiful, so we are excited about that.’’