The Cuban ambassador in Canberra, Tanieris Diéguez, thanked today the favourable position of Australia in the recent vote at the United Nations against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against her country.

Diéguez conveyed the recognition to the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite, who received her alongside officials from the Latin America division of the Australian foreign ministry on the occasion of the end of her mission.

At the meeting, both concurred in pointing out the existing potential to develop and promote bilateral relations in areas such as sport, health, education, culture, biotechnology and mining.

The Cuban diplomat was also received this Monday by the Governor General of Australia, Samantha Joy Mostyn, with whom she spoke about the development of bilateral links and in particular about the experiences of cooperation between the two countries in the educational sphere.

In this regard, Diéguez highlighted the implementation in the Oceanian nation, starting in 2012, of the Cuban literacy method Yo Si Puedo in 13 Aboriginal communities of New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory, as a result of which more than 300 students graduated.

Both the Governor General and Thistlethwaite recognised the work of the Cuban diplomat and conveyed to her their wishes for success in her future missions.

Australia was one of the 165 countries that voted in favour of the resolution presented by Cuba before the UN General Assembly on the necessity of ending the blockade that for more than 60 years successive United States governments have maintained against the island, which was approved by an overwhelming majority.

Regarding bilateral collaboration, it is worth recalling that last April the National Baseball Federations of Cuba and Australia signed a cooperation agreement that aims to strengthen their preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the Cuban diplomatic mission by Ambassador Diéguez and the CEO of the League and the Australian Federation of that sport, Glenn Williams, constituted an important step in the objective of strengthening sporting ties between both countries, particularly in this discipline.

Among other actions, the agreement includes the holding of sporting matches, cooperation between the national teams of both countries, possibilities for joint training, participation in events, and other topics of interest such as collaboration in this sport with a view to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

During the ceremony, both parties ratified the willingness to achieve an effective application of the agreement, so that it benefits the development of baseball in both countries.

As the diplomat declared then to Prensa Latina, this type of instrument is very useful for creating synergies and developing cooperation in an area like sport, particularly baseball, in which common interests and many challenges exist with a view to different international events.