Global community will secure lifting of U.S. anti-Cuban sanctions - Matviyenko
HAVANA. Nov 15 (Interfax) - The United States' sanctions against Cuba are illegal and inhumane, the world will get them to be lifted, Federation Council speaker Valentina Matviyenko said.
"I am an optimist. I think that the global community will still ensure - I would like this to happen sooner - the lifting of the illegal blockade, of the restrictive measures, thus creating more favorable conditions for economic and social growth in your country," Matviyenko said at a meeting with Cuba's President of the National Assembly of People's Power and of the Council of State, Esteban Lazo Hernandez, in Havana on Friday.
Cuba has lived under this tough pressure for 57 years now, she said.
"We consider this to be gross violation of international law, illegal actions, actions against the Cuban people, inhumane measures," Matviyenko said.
Each year the Federation Council passes a resolution demanding that the blockade be lifted, and the same is being urged by Russia in the UN, she said.
"Practically the entire global community speaks out in support of Cuba, against this gross violation of international law, against the unilateral illegal sanctions. As is tradition, only three or four nations, always the same ones unfortunately, go against the view of the global community. As parliament we are constantly using our opportunities at all international platforms and continue to loudly protest against the sanctions of the Cuban blockade," Matviyenko said.
The UN General Assembly First Committee has already passed a resolution condemning the Cuban blockade and calling for its removal, she said.
"I am certain that the UN as a whole will pass this resolution," she said.