Events

22 Nov 2022

Andreichenko: Belarus-Cuba relations rely on friendship, mutual support

MINSK, 22 November (BelTA) – Relations between Belarus and Cuba are based on friendship, mutual understanding and support, Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko said as he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Belarus Santiago Perez Benitez, BelTA has learned.

“I would like to congratulate you on the official start of your diplomatic service in Belarus. I know that you have become actively involved in the work, have established contacts with many of our business people. You have been to the House of Representatives more than once. This year we marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries. Yet, it must be said that our relations have a longer history. Our relations have always relied on friendship, mutual understanding and support,” said Vladimir Andreichenko. “And, of course, this is particularly relevant at this difficult time when the United States of America persists with its policy of sanctions and a financial, commercial, economic blockade of Cuba. You see that the collective West, the United States of America, is trying to do the same with respect to the Republic of Belarus. These countries would like to see our country destabilized, they are trying to discredit the policy pursued in Belarus. Therefore, I believe that it is important for us now to maintain an active political dialogue and work more intensively to expand our trade and economic relations,” he added.

The meetings of the presidents of the two countries gave a tangible impetus to cooperation, the speaker stressed. “It is very important that a meeting of the joint commission on trade and economic cooperation was held in Havana in June this year. In my opinion, this meeting helped thrash out our plans and chart out specific steps that we should take. Our ultimate goal is to increase bilateral trade up to $60 million ($30 million by each country) by the end of the year. This is important. Moreover, it’s all achievable,” he said.

“Parliamentarians will join the effort. On the whole, Belarusian MPs highly appreciate the friendly relations that we have developed with Cuba,” added Vladimir Andreichenko.

Vladimir Andreichenko and Santiago Perez Benitez are set to discuss interparliamentary contacts, including interaction through friendship groups, bilateral cooperation in trade, economy and humanitarian matters, as well as the upcoming visit to Belarus of Juan Esteban Lazo Hernandez, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba.