October 13, 2006

Cuba Summit – Transition to Democracy

Foreign Minister Kinga Göncz delivered a keynote speech at the conference titled Cuba Summit – Transition to Democracy, at the Biltmore in Miami on October 13.

Governor Jeb Bush speaking at the Cuba Summit

 The conference that was hosted by Governor Jeb Bush, Senator Mel Martinez, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart was aimed at identifying specific ways to assist democratic transition in Cuba, drawing on the experience of Central and Eastern European countries. The importance of their recent initiative to form the “Friends of Democratic Cuba” was underscored, and further countries were encouraged to join the “Friends”.  

Foreign Minister Göncz delivering a keynote speech at the Cuba Summit. On the podium Governor Jeb Bush, U/S Paula Dobriansky, Senator Mel Martinez and Secretary Gutierrez  

A broad cross-section of Cuban-American leaders participated at the conference, highlighting the emerging consensus among the Cuban-American community on democratic transition in Cuba . Speakers included Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, Under-Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky and Luis Alberto Lacalle, former president of Uruguay .

Foreign Minister Göncz with Under-Secretary Paula Dobriansky, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart and leaders of the Cuban-American Community

 

Foreign Minister Göncz with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Sylvia Iriondo President of MAR por Cuba

 

Foreign Minister Göncz at the press conference of the Cuba Summit with Governor Bush, Senator Martinez, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, Congressmen Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart and U/S Dobriansky

 

Secretary Gutierrez at the press conference of the Cuba Summit

 

Foreign Minister Göncz and Ambassador Simonyi with Governor Bush 

 

Ambassador Simonyi speaking at the Cuba Summit

 

Ambassador Simonyi with Honorary Consul George de Pozsgay and representatives of the local Hungarian community

 

Ambassador Simonyi with Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen

 

Ambassador Simonyi with Congressman Diaz-Balart, Arturo Sandoval and Stanley Jordan