Cuban ambassador to Malaysia highlights Malaysia's role in ASEAN

Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia, Florentino Batista Gonzalez, has emphasised Malaysia's strategic initiatives to strengthen the country's ties with the Global South. 

According to the Ambassador, Malaysia's engagement with BRICS is a necessary and forward-looking strategy. "It is an actual pragmatical approach on behalf of the Malaysian people and society," he noted.

Gonzalez also emphasised the significance of the Global South countries' cooperation. He added that countries of the Global South must come together to overcome such issues as tropical diseases and poverty. This is reported by Bernama.

The Ambassador highlighted Malaysia's leadership role in ASEAN, noting its potential as a bridge to Latin America. "Malaysia enjoys quite a deal of respect among its ASEAN neighbours," he added. 

Gonzalez pointed to the growing trade and exchange of human capital between Latin America and ASEAN, suggesting that Malaysia's leadership can facilitate co-operation in areas such as biotechnology and technology.

He stressed that the country's participation in various multilateral forums, including APEC and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has brought many opportunities for the country.