The President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez addressed members of the State Duma at the plenary meeting on Tuesday, November 22.
Earlier, he met with the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
.
The parliamentary ties between the two countries are of particular importance for Russia and Cuba, as said the President of the Republic. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address the members of the State Duma at the plenary meeting.
Miguel Díaz-Canel recalled that Cuba, just like Russia, had been living under external economic restrictions, and, according to him, in the last few years the USA had imposed more than 200 sanctions against the country.
“Our people are sincerely grateful for the statement adopted by the State Duma calling for elimination of the restrictions imposed by the USA. We appreciate such step and are grateful for that,” stressed Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
In difficult economic conditions Cuba counts on the support of friends, including Russia, according to him. The President added that the bilateral projects in the field of geology, heavy industry had been actively developing; Russia also provided active support to the railway infrastructure of Cuba. In addition, Russia has always helped Cuba in the most difficult moments for the country. “Only true friends do that!” emphasized Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
“The Russian Federation and the Republic of Cuba have excellent political relations. We have similar views on major issues on the international agenda and there is decisive interaction within the framework of international organizations. However, the development of our economic, trade, financial cooperation and partnership, as well as bringing them to the political level remains an unresolved issue. Both legislative bodies should work in this direction,” said Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
The President of Cuba in his speech raised an issue of the anti-Russian sanctions. He stressed that Cuba condemned imposition of unilateral restrictive measures. “The causes of the current conflict can be found in the aggressive policy of the United States of America and in NATO's expansion closer to Russia's borders,” he stressed.
