New York, United States.-The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) recognized today at the General Assembly of the United Nations the contribution of Fidel Castro to regional integration.

His contribution is a fundamental legacy for regional integration, inspired in the principles of sovereignty, peace and solidarity of peoples, affirmed the Dominican ambassador Francisco Cortorreal in the name of the bloc founded in 2011, which gathers the 34 independent countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to the diplomat, Celac highlights the leadership and momentous political trajectory of the Cuban statesman, as well as its significance for the island and the world.

The samples of appreciation and sincere condolences in the passing away of Fidel Castro, expressed by Latin American and Caribbean peoples and governments and from other parts of the world, are testimony of his importance as universal reference of dignity and struggle for social justice, said Cortorreal.

In a special event of the Assembly to honor the revolutionary, organizations such as the Group of 77 plus China, the Movement of Non Aligned Nations, the Association of South Eastern Asian Nations, the Caribbean Community and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America.

Ambassadors of several continents spoke in their national capacities to highlight the work and legacy of Fidel Castro, among them those of Russia, Venezuela, India, China, Nicaragua, South Afrrica, Vietnam,k Angola, Belarus, Iran, Palestine, Algeria and Syria.