St. George's, Grenada, March 2nd, 2010: Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has described the relationship between Grenada and Cuba as special.

Following his two-hour long meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro on Monday, the Grenadian leader said while Grenada and Cuba were going through their own difficulties there were still areas that the two countries were able to work together.

“We are still able to work together to our mutual benefit, whether its health, education or in the international community in areas such as climate change,” the Prime Minister said. He noted that “Grenada and Cuba has a long history of collaborating on major issues, pointing to Cuban assistance in the construction of Grenada’s largest economic project-the Maurice Bishop International Airport.

The Cuban President hosted an official welcome dinner on Monday night for the Grenada delegation following the meeting at the Palace of the Revolution in Cuba’s Revolution square.

Prime Minister could not hide his excitement earlier in the day when he was taken on a tour of an Agricultural cooperative, Alamar’s Organoponic, and the El Mino meat processing plant. 

The delegation was taken on a tour of the plant which processes pork to hams, sausages and other specialty pork products. In a short presentation to the delegation the Plant’s manager said the products are sold on the local and international market, bringing in much needed foreign exchange to Cuba.

“I believe these are some of the things we can directly benefit. The technology is available and Grenada can engage Cuba to help us strengthen our own resources for local use and for export,” the Prime Minister said.

“I am really excited with what I see here because it is something we can learn from, especially the techniques used in your fully organic operation,” the Prime Minister said about the Agricultural project.

Following the visit the delegation was taken to one of Havana‘s most prominent forts, which displayed a series of canons and ramparts, constructed by the Spanish and designed to protect the city of Havana. The Centuries old fort stands as a guardian to the bay.

Meanwhile Grenada’s delegation to the Grenada Cuba Joint Commission will wind up work Tuesday on a new agreement with Cuba.

Minister for Health Hon. Ann Peters, Foreign Minister Peter David, along with the Permanent Secretaries Ms Allison Miller, in the Ministry of Health and Mrs. Elizabeth Henry Greenidge in the Ministry of Education have been discussing with the Cubans areas of cooperation in health, education and sports among other areas.

“I believe we have a very good agreement and we will work to ensure these benefits are brought to the people of Grenada,” said the Health Minister.