Readout of Foreign Affairs Minister’s meeting with Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs

August 28, 2019 - Havana, Cuba - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Havana, Cuba.

The crisis in Venezuela was a focus of the meeting. Both Foreign Ministers noted the ongoing Norway process, their different perspectives on the crisis in Venezuela, and expressed hope that a path forward can be found.

The two Foreign Ministers agreed that senior officials would stay in contact and continue to exchange views, in order to be as helpful as possible.

During the meeting, the Minister restated Canada’s concern over the United States’ decision to end the suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. Canada’s Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (FEMA) remains in force and the Canadian federal government will fully defend the interests of Canadians conducting legitimate trade and investment with Cuba.

The two Foreign Ministers also discussed the importance of the hemisphere supporting the countries of the Amazon as they face unprecedented forest fires.