Lavrov to discuss Russian-Cuban trade and economic ties in Havana

Lavrov to discuss Russian-Cuban trade and economic ties in Havana
Russia March 23, 11:45 UTC+3

The Russian Foreign Minister's trip comes ahead of the 55th anniversary
of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Russia and Cuba
celebrated on May 8

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is due
to discuss the Russian-Cuban cooperation in the world arena and the
expansion of bilateral trade and economic ties during his visit to
Havana on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.
The trip comes ahead of the 55th anniversary of the restoration of
diplomatic relations between Russia and Cuba celebrated on May 8, the
ministry said.
Lavrov and his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez will discuss "a broad
range of topical international and regional issues, and various aspects
of bilateral cooperation, including of a trade and economic character,"
the statement reads.
The ministry noted that Russia and Cuba "regularly hold a political
dialogue at the high and highest levels."
"The solid basis for deepening the Russian-Cuban cooperation in the
world arena is the proximity or identity of positions of the two
countries on major problems of regional and international agenda and the
commitment to the strict observance of norms and principles of the
international law," the ministry said.
Cuba traditionally supports the Russian priorities as part of the United
Nations General Assembly, it said.
In particular, Havana voted against the March 2014 resolution of the UN
General Assembly on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and also
co-authored the resolution adopted at Russia's initiative on celebrating
the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War II.
"On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Victory, a number of joint
solemn events are planned in Cuba where May 9 is an official holiday,"
the ministry said.
The sides will also discuss preparations for the 13th session of the
intergovernmental Russian-Cuban commission on trade and economic,
scientific and technical cooperation in Russia's Kazan on April 22.
"In this context, there are promising projects that the sides are
developing in the sphere of energy, industrial and transport
infrastructure, biotechnologies, civil aviation, peaceful space and
healthcare," the ministry said.
The ministry said that the "upcoming Russian-Cuban contacts are set to
analyze the fulfillment of agreements reached at the meeting of Russian
President Vladimir Putin and Raul Castro in July 2012 in Moscow and
contribute to the further deepening of coordination of approaches of our
countries to the major problems of modern age."

Source: TASS: Russia - Lavrov to discuss Russian-Cuban trade and
economic ties in Havana - http://tass.ru/en/russia/784300