That the Parliament sends its condolences on the loss of Fidel Castro (1926-2016) to his family and the people of Cuba; respects the nine days of national mourning undertaken by the people of Cuba to mark the passing of an icon of socialism; considers that during Fidel Castro’s time in office, from 1959 to 2008, Cuba built world-class health and education systems and decreased poverty, despite suffering economically for decades under a United States blockade; further notes what it sees as Cuba’s impressive record of international solidarity abroad, including sending medical workers to the world’s poorest regions, leading the fight against Ebola and providing the largest medical contingent after the 2010 Haitian earthquake disaster; recalls the words of the late Nelson Mandela, when referring to Cuban volunteers driving South African apartheid forces out of Angola, that "the Cuban Internationalists have made a contribution to African independence, freedom and justice unparalleled for its principled and selfless character"; recognises what it sees as Fidel Castro’s individual contribution as a champion of global social justice and his maxim of "not an inch to imperialism", and believes that his legacy and spirit will live on in the many great achievements of the small socialist state of Cuba, teaching and inspiring future generations and showing that another world is possible.