Cuba and Russia reiterate mutual interest in cooperation
Havana and Moscow maintain collaboration in the railroad, energy, transport and communications industries, topics that are periodically discussed in the 14 working groups functioning within the framework of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission

Author: Milagros Pichardo Pérez | internet@granma.cu
april 1, 2021 09:04:34

Co-presidents of the Commission, Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas and Yuri Borisov, Vice President of the Russian Federation. Photo: José Manuel Correa

The need to globalize solidarity and international cooperation were emphasized yesterday, during the 18th meeting of the Cuba-Russia Intergovernmental Commission for economic-commercial and scientific-technical collaboration, which concludes today, and is headed by co-chairs Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, deputy prime minister of the Republic of Cuba, and Yuri Ivanovich Borisov, vice president of the Russian Federation’s government.

In describing the meeting, Cabrisas noted that the traditionally friendly relation between the two nations was reconfirmed, while Borisov described Cuba as a key and strategic partner for his country, with which relations are based on respect, trust and transparency; aspects that mark the history shared by the two nations.

Discussed were matters of mutual interest in the economic, financial, energy, transportation, agriculture, communications and health arenas, among others. The Cuban Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the need to effectively coordinate practical action to neutralize the effects of selective policies and unilateral measures against our countries.

He also thanked Russia for its historic position against the U.S. blockade and reiterated Cuba’s condemnation of the unjust sanctions Moscow is facing.

The Russian co-chair highlighted the coordinated work of the parties within the framework of the commission and the consensus reached on the main issues of bilateral interaction. Currently, important negotiations are underway regarding industry and military-technical cooperation, and special attention is being paid to the financial aspects of Russian-Cuban trade, he said.

Havana and Moscow maintain collaboration in the railroad, energy, transportation and communications industries, among others, topics that are periodically discussed in the 14 working groups functioning within the framework of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission.

Simply Cuba
Cuba is today making headlines in international media with our five candidate vaccines, a real feat accomplished with no other motivation than to defeat the pandemic, because of an indisputable truth

Madeleine Sautié Rodríguezmarch 11, 2021 10:03:31

Photo: Granma Archives
Just a little more than two months after the coronavirus pandemic became part of the planet’s history, Cuba had not yet registered a single case. Now, exactly one year following the appearance of the first patients within our national territory, we have not had a day’s rest in the battle against COVID-19.

From the first world we received terrifying images: hospitals and morgues overwhelmed; desolate testimonies, pain, covered faces, no kisses, no embraces, physical distancing.

A British cruise ship with infected passengers aboard, in need of safe harbor and some way to send the sick back to their country, was rejected by other governments. It was Cuba, in love with life, that assumed the operation others feared.

The world was not surprised to see the image of that moving message displayed from the ship’s deck: Thank you, Cuba. Much less our people. Accustomed to solidarity and the satisfaction that good deeds give us, the gesture seemed totally natural.

Nor was anyone surprised to see leaders of our institutions appear on television to speak to the people as the epidemic spread. No one doubted that medical care for all Cubans would be guaranteed, of course, free of charge, regardless of the most economic circumstances caused by a brutal blockade against our country. It came as no surprise to see Henry Reeve brigades set off to distant lands to restore health to so many citizens of the world.

Cuba is today making headlines in international media with our five candidate vaccines, a real feat accomplished with no other motivation than to defeat the pandemic, because of an indisputable truth. Nor is this note the work of chance.

This magic was forged by a man who thought of everything and has lasted more than 60 years. History does not allow us to lie; Fidel lives on, building and founding.