PH Ambassador Presents Credentials as Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba

Philippine Non-Resident Ambassador Lilybeth R. Deapera presented credentials to Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. (Photo by the Office of the President of Cuba)

HAVANA 22 June 2023 – Philippine Ambassador Lilybeth R. Deapera presented her credentials as Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to President Miguel Díaz-Canel of the Republic of Cuba at the Palacio de la Revolución on 15 June 2023.

Ambassador Deapera was among the six Ambassadors who were accredited to Cuba. She was accompanied by Political and Economic Assistant Mary Therese C. Jose.  Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla was also in attendance.

During a brief téte-á-téte, President Díaz-Canel conveyed his best wishes to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. He also stated Cuba´s interest to improve economic partnership with the Philippines.

Ambassador Deapera assured of the Philippine commitment to strengthen cooperation with Cuba, especially as both countries will celebrate the 77th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in July 2023.

President Díaz-Canel concluded with appreciation for the Philippine support to the lifting of the US embargo against Cuba.  Ambassador Deapera then expressed hope for continued partnership between the two countries in years to come.

Ambassador Deapera also met with officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and Trade to build on the gains of the visit of the trade delegation from the Provinces of Isabela and Tarlac and discuss possible cooperation opportunities in agro-alimentary production, trade and investment, public health, and education, among others.

In addition, Ambassador Deapera was welcomed by the ASEAN Committee in Havana formally established in 2022 following the accession of Cuba to the ASEAN´s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in November 2020.  She likewise held an in-person meet & greet attended by 13 members of the Filipino Community.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Cuba were formally established on 04 July 1946.  In 2022, Cuba ranked as the Philippines’ 101st trading partner (out of 230) with total trade amounting to USD 8.83 million.  In the same year, there were 27 Filipinos reported to be residing in Cuba, majority of who are working at a diplomatic mission, missionary priests and nuns, and medical students. END

Also present in the ceremony were Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla (leftmost) and Political and Economic Assistant Mary Therese C. Jose (rightmost) (Photo by the Office of the President of Cuba).

For more information, visit https://www.mexicope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinMexico/.