Intergovernmental commission to discuss updating Russia-Cuba economic cooperation mechanisms - Lavrov
SANTIAGO DE CUBA. Feb 6 (Interfax) - Russia intends to further expand cooperation with Cuba, particularly amid illegitimate sanctions that are continually being increased by the United States, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a meeting with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez on Thursday.
"We are completely committed to the agreements that were reached at the meeting of our presidents in October last year. Above all, they concern updating the mechanism of economic cooperation, particularly amid the illegitimate sanctions that the U.S. is continuing to bolster. All these issues will be discussed in detail at a planned meeting of the intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation in Moscow. First and foremost, these are steps that should be coordinated, in order to put the program of cooperation in the fuel and energy sectors into practice," Lavrov said at the meeting, which took place as part of his brief visit to Santiago de Cuba.
"Mr. Minister and my friend, I am very happy to welcome you here, in our historical city of Santiago de Cuba. We are highly satisfied with the level of our exchanges. We will continue our work as part of projects in different fields. I'd like to say that we recognize and admire the role the Russian Federation has been playing to protect peace, rights, and security worldwide. This year is also important, because we mark a key anniversary in our bilateral relations. We will celebrate it, both in Moscow and in Havana," Rodriguez said.
"I'm sincerely grateful for the reception my delegation has been treated to here. I fully share your assessments of our relations," Lavrov said.
"Of course, contacts at the highest level will continue this year. We look forward to seeing the president of Cuba in Moscow at the 75th anniversary of Victory in World War II celebrations and [celebrations of] the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations," he said.
Furthermore, Cuban delegations are expected to take part in a whole range of different events within the next few months, including the Moscow Conference on International Security, the International Legal Forum, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, and others.