Russia and Cuba Consider Steps to Boost Bilateral Collaboration

Russia´s foreign minister Serguei Lavrov met in Havana with Cuban government vice-president Ricardo Cabrisas on details of the 8th Session of the Cuba-Russia Joint Intergovernmental Commission slated for April in Moscow.

During the meeting, Lavrov stressed the significance of the joint sessions, which allow following up on the accords adopted last July during the visit by president Vladimir Putin to the island.

The two top government officials described as favorable the current scenario for the strengthening of bilateral economic links, which has been evidenced by numerous meetings of delegations from both countries in the first quarter of this year.

"We think that Cuba has very practical projects for the development of its infrastructure and its economy, which are of the interest of Russian companies operating on the island," Lavrov said.

Other issues on the agenda of the meeting included regional politics, international relations and collaboration with the United Nations.

"We are satisfied with the support we have always received from Russian authorities in the struggle against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on us by the United States, said the Cuban government vice-president since the meeting also addressed the next steps to be taken by Russia to condemn the US anti-Cuba policy.

Havana is the first leg of Lavrov´s Latin American tour, which also includes Colombia, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Cuba and Russia signed a memo of understanding in 2009 on the principles of strategic collaboration, which focuses on bilateral actions in the areas of tourism, health, culture and higher education.