Raul Castro: G-15 Is Pivotal
Cuba´s First Vice President Raul Castro highlighted the role of the Group of 15 as a catalyst in increasing cooperation among nations of the Southern Hemisphere, when speaking at the opening of the G-15 Summit in Havana Thursday.

The vice president told the group of 17 top officials of developing countries, meeting in parallel with the 14th Non-Aligned Movement Summit, that it is at a point where it can strengthen its role to confront the growing challenges of globalization and development.

Cuba appreciates the special attention the G-15 offers in matters of trade, development, finances and cooperation and ultimately, the interests of G-15 are those of the developing world, he affirmed.

G-15, created by NAM, is the medium with which to increase South-South cooperation and make possible greater cohesion and solidarity among developing nations to bring about a more fluid and positive North-South dialogue, Raul Castro added.

Our countries have no alternative than to unite and concentrate our actions on confronting the common obstacles we face, he said.

The Group of 15 is now composed of 17 members: Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Egypt, Jamaica, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Venezuela.