Cuban Ambassador Florentino Batista Gonzalez praised Malaysia’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for enhancing ties with the Global South and emphasized the importance of cooperation among developing nations. He noted Malaysia’s leadership role in ASEAN and the significance of collective action to address shared challenges, highlighting the benefits of Malaysia’s involvement in multilateral forums.
In an interview following the ‘Nation’ program, Florentino Batista Gonzalez, the Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia, commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his dynamic foreign policy aimed at fortifying Malaysia’s bonds with developing nations in the Global South. He characterized Malaysia’s collaboration with BRICS as a necessary and innovative tactic, articulating that it exemplifies a pragmatic approach to international relations.
Gonzalez stressed the significance of South-South cooperation in confronting shared challenges like poverty and tropical diseases, urging developing nations to unite. He remarked, “Nobody’s going to come and face these problems for us. It’s not just Cuba or Malaysia; it’s our Global South. We need to combine our efforts if we want to get rid of these issues,” advocating a collective intelligence to address common obstacles.
Additionally, the ambassador noted Malaysia’s respected leadership within ASEAN, suggesting it could enhance ties with Latin America. He observed that Malaysia’s standing among its ASEAN peers could facilitate quicker and more effective collaborations across regions. As he articulated, “It’s not easy to go country by country, but if you can deal directly with ASEAN, with its regional organisations, then it makes everything much more practical and faster.”
Moreover, Gonzalez praised Malaysia’s equitable foreign policy approach, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding national interests. He pointed out Malaysia’s active role in various multilateral forums as a source of opportunities for its economy, stating, “These efforts bring resources to Malaysia, to the Malaysian people, companies and the economy. And that’s great diplomatic relations.”
He also highlighted the similarities in Malaysia’s and Cuba’s stances on important issues like the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the importance of collective human rights advocacy. He concluded by recalling the longstanding diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Cuba, established in 1975, and their shared pursuit of mutual interests on the global stage.
The article discusses the remarks made by Florentino Batista Gonzalez, the Cuban Ambassador, regarding Malaysia’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The context revolves around Malaysia’s strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing relationships with developing nations, particularly through platforms like BRICS and ASEAN, and highlights the importance of South-South cooperation in addressing global challenges.
In conclusion, the Cuban Ambassador’s insights underscore the significance of Malaysia’s foreign relations strategy focused on collaboration with the Global South. He commended Malaysia’s leadership role within ASEAN, advocating for shared efforts among developing nations to tackle common challenges, while also appreciating the mutual respect and cooperation between Malaysia and Cuba in addressing key global issues, such as human rights and economic development.
Original Source: bernama.com
