News

Cuba highly praised Russian contribution to the fight against the coronavirus

Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to the Russian Federation J. Garmendia Peña met in Moscow. The meeting discussed the development of trade and economic relations between the countries, cooperation in science and education, as well as the participation of representatives of the Republic of Cuba in key business events, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will be held on 2–5 June.

“Even amid the pandemic, we see a dynamic development of Russian-Cuban relations, their non-opportunistic nature and focus on the future. In recent years highest-level political contacts between Russia and Cuba have become increasingly sound and productive. The potential of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Cuba is unlocked through regular meetings of official and business circles of both countries, including those taking place at international events, contributing to the maintenance and development of bilateral dialogue," said Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov. He also noted the significant help that Cuban doctors offered to many countries in the fight against the coronavirus.

Cuban representative delegation traditionally takes an active part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This year the Forum business programme will also include the Russia–Latin America business dialogue. The meeting noted that SPIEF continues to be an effective international platform for dialogue on key issues of the global agenda and discussed the participation of the Cuban delegation in SPIEF 2021.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to the Russian Federation J. Garmendia Peña spoke about Cuba's experience in developing its own COVID-19 vaccines and shared his thoughts about the success of the Russian science: “The coronavirus pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to the entire world and has once again emphasized the need for increased cooperation between healthcare agencies. In this regard, Russia is among world leaders; you were able to develop a number of unique vaccines in the shortest possible time, and today the Sputnik V vaccine has been approved in 61 countries. This is a significant contribution to the global fight against the coronavirus."

During the meeting, the parties discussed resuming field events aimed at establishing direct contacts between Russian and Latin American business circles, which is an important mechanism for developing long-term ties between Russia and Latin American countries. Among the successfully implemented joint business events is the Second Russia–Latin America Business Forum, which took place on 29 October 2018 in Havana and attracted global attention. The Forum was attended by 91 Russian and 44 Cuban companies. The event was organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of the Republic of Cuba.

Back to the main page