JAPAN and the WORLD Magazine OCTOBER ISSUE 2016 #Issue 17

PROTOCOL SAYONARA / FAREWELL SAYONARA CUBA CUBA AND JAPAN Affection and Friendship to Japan 日本への好意と友愛 1 A 0月初め、日本での感動的で素晴らしい4年間を過ごした後、私は妻ロサ・マリアと共に日本を離れ、本国外務省での新しい任務のためキューバに帰国しました。外交官として他国に赴任するときは毎回期待で胸が膨らみますが、任務を終えその国を離れるときはとても名残惜しいものです。そして、それがまさに私たちが日本を後にしたときの気持ちです。 t the beginning of October, after four wonderful and inspiring years, my wife Rosa Maria and I have left Japan to assume new responsibilities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cuba. It is always with great excitement that we, as diplomats, start our missions abroad, and it is with profound sorrow that we left. Such are the very feelings of ours after leaving Japan. それゆえ、日本をこんなにも身近に感じるのは驚きではありません。私たちは記憶に残る4年間を日本で過ごし、たくさんの場所を訪れ、この美しい国の偉大さ、独特な自然環境、素晴らしい文化に触れました。 Therefore, it is not a surprise that Japan came close to our hearts. We have spent four memorable years in which we have visited many places in Japan and we have discovered the greatness of this beautiful country, its unique nature and its magnificent cultural identity. One of the many memories I have experienced, is seeing how much closer historical relations have become between our countries. I happily confirm that during these years, Cuba and Japan have significantly strengthened bilateral exchanges in all sectors. Maturity and diversity which have been achieved in our relations are based on the mutual interests of both countries and are complemented by the natural sympathy between Cubans and Japanese, allowing us to interact in a unique way. 日本での数多くの思い出の一つは、キューバと日本の歴史的な関係がより密接になったことです。あらゆる分野において両国の関係が著しく強化されたと私は確信しています。これまでに築かれてきた、多様で成熟した二国間関係は、双方の国益に基づいており、両国の国民間の自然な共感によって補完され、独自の手法による交流が続いています。 H.E. MR. MARCOS FERMIN RODRIGUEZ COSTA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Japan 2014年には、支倉常長らによる日本人初のキューバ訪問から400年を迎え、両国の人々の間で政治、ビジネス、文化、観光、スポーツなど多くの分野で幅広い交流が行 In 2014, we had the great honor to commemorate the 400th Anniversary われました。 of the first Japanese visit to Cuba by Samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga. This special occasion allows a broad exchange between our peoples in politics, また、2016年には、ミゲル・ディアスカネル・ベルムデス・キューバ国家評議会第 business, culture, tourism, sports and many other areas. 一副議長兼閣僚評議会第一副議長による訪日や、安倍内閣総理大臣による日 Furthermore, the recent exchange of high level visits by the First Vice- President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez to Japan and the historical first visit to Cuba by H.E Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, both in 2016, marked the beginning of a qualitatively higher stage in our relations and showed the priority given by both countries to bilateral exchanges. This is an occasion for me to thank all of our friends in Japan for their excellent cooperation and joint work on helping to strength the historical ties between our countries. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight that I have been touched by the sincerity, kindness, and hospitality of the Japanese people. Finally, I remain confident that the future of these relations will be as bright as the sun that shines in our countries, which are geographically distant, but very close in affection and friendship. 本の総理大臣として初となるキューバ訪問など、質的にも高度な交流が行われ、双方が両国の二国間交流を重要視している証しとなりました。この場を借りて、これまで両国の関係強化に尽力してくださった日本の友人たちに感謝の意を述べたいと思います。また、日本の皆さまの誠実さ、優しさ、もてなしの心に感銘を受けたことにも触れたいと思います。最後に、キューバと日本は地理的には遠く離れていますが、好意と友愛に満ちた両国の密接な関係が今後も太陽のように輝き続けていくことを祈念し、私の離任の挨拶とさせていただきます。本当にありがとうございました。 For more information about Cuba, please visit the official website: www.cubadiplomatica.cu/japon With my very best regards. JAPAN AND THE WORLD MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016 // 69

JAPAN and the WORLD Magazine OCTOBER ISSUE 2016 #Issue 17 | Page 69