The facility in Havana that will house the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda. Photo by Maurice F. Merchant

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer who was in Cuba attending the 14th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement,(NAM) on Friday toured the facilities.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by the country's Ambassador to Cuba Bruce Goodwin and Cuba's Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda Dr. Marcelino Fagardo.

Spencer said that he was very pleased with the renovation work being carried out by Cuban contractors and is looking forward to its completion very shortly.  "The Embassy will be a significant addition to our relations with the Republic of Cuba.  Over the years we have developed a strong bond with cooperation increasing yearly with more students being offered scholarships to study in Cuba.  The Embassy will serve as a significant link between our students in Cuba and Antigua and Barbuda."

Ambassador Bruce Goodwin said that although the renovation work is taking some time he is confident that upon completion the Embassy will be a true reflection of the important bond that Cuba and Antigua and Barbuda share at this time.

"During the process of renovation, we are looking at the staffing of the facility.  This we anticipate will be completed by November to coincide with the nation's 25th Anniversary of Independence," Ambassador Goodwin said.

"Our students in Cuba have been utilizing the services of the Belizean Embassy in Havana and they have been requesting over the years that we should have a permanent presence in Cuba and very soon that will become a reality.  It also comes at a time when the Cuban Government is offering to Antigua and Barbuda far more scholarships than they did three years ago.  The timing is very opportune," Ambassador Goodwin added.

Ambassador Goodwin said that a formal ceremony will be held in October to officially open the facility and he is anticipating the participation of Prime Minister Spencer and other government official along with Antiguan and Barbudan students studying in Cuba.