During the meeting at the headquarters of the Organization, Okonjo-Iweala highlighted Cuba’s active and constructive participation in the work of the WTO, as well as its leadership in promoting dialogue and multilateral cooperation in favor of sustainable development.

The WTO official praised the important cooperation that Cuba offers to other countries, by providing doctors and other kind of health assistance to needy nations.

Benítez Verson confirmed that his country advocates a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory multilateral trade system, based on rules, which allows reducing existing asymmetries.

The ambassador described the blockade on Cuba as contrary to the purposes and principles of the WTO and the rules of the multilateral trade system, being the biggest obstacle to the normal development of Cuba’s legitimate trade relations with the rest of the world.

In addition, the Cuban diplomat extended an invitation to the director general to visit Cuba.

The two representatives agreed on the desire to continue to strengthen working relations between Cuba and the WTO for the benefit of the Cuban population.

Cuba’s Permanent Representative was accompanied by Cuban Counselor Madelyn Rodríguez Lara.

The WTO is the international organization responsible for ensuring trade rules between countries, in order to ensure that trade is made in the most fluid, predictable and free manner possible.

Created in 1995, the WTO is one of the youngest international organizations. Cuba became a member State on April 20 of that same year. Currently, 166 countries, accounting for 98 percent of world trade, are members of the organization,

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