ABU DHABI // Long closed off to the explosive rate of development that has become commonplace in the UAE, a resurgent Cuba could soon find itself on a similar trajectory as ties are further developed with the UAE.
Stronger relations between the two countries were forged this week after an official state visit by Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed to the Caribbean island nation.
Sheikh Abdullah was received by first vice president Miguel Diaz-Canel before raising the UAE flag during the official opening of the country’s Embassy in Havana at a ceremony attended by his Cuban counterpart, foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.
Agreements on deeper cooperation in aviation and renewable energy development were signed during the 24-hour visit.
“I am sure that the next few years will witness the prosperity of our ties,” said Sheikh Abdullah during the meeting, the state news agency Wam reported.
During the meeting, Mr Rodriguez reaffirmed his government’s support for Arab peoples “in their struggle to maintain their independence and territorial integrity”, reported Wam.
The latest cooperation in aviation aims to open opportunities for increased international air transport, building on the 2014 signing of an open skies agreement that paved the way for the introduction of flights between the UAE and Cuba, and discussions earlier this year between Russia and investment company Mubadala, regarding the building of an airport in Cuba that could serve as a hub for Latin America.
Also during this week’s meeting, a loan agreement was signed between the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Cuban government to support Cuba’s renewable energy goals.
A Dh55 million concessionary loan is being offered to finance a 10MW solar energy farm that would provide electricity for 5,300 Cubans – contributing to government plans to install roughly 400 megawatts of solar power by 2020. “The continued support for renewable energy projects will contribute to the creation of new economic opportunities for Cuban citizens through attracting new investments to the country and encouraging people’s participation in development,” said Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the fund’s director general.
This week’s visit by Sheikh Abdullah reflected the UAE’s desire to broaden ties with a changing Cuba, which has been moving towards normalising its relationship with the United States, said Mohammed bin Huwaidin, associate professor and head of the political science department at UAE University.
“This could open up a chance for the UAE to foster a kind of openness with Cuba and invest there,” he said.
With an increasing Cuban appetite for foreign investment after decades of sluggish growth, Prof bin Huwaidin said the UAE could reap long-term benefits from a stronger relationship.
“This is part of Cuba’s openness to the US and the West,” he said. “The United Arab Emirates is rewarding that by getting closer to the country and maybe getting benefits out of its openness, along with the economic advantage that it could gain.”
Sheikh Abdullah’s visit to Cuba included discussions on enhancing cooperation in ports, infrastructure, medicine and medical research, agriculture and tourism, said Wam.
Formal ties between the UAE and Cuba were established in 2002. The Foreign Minister’s first visit took place in 2009.
esamoglou@thenational.ae
