Meeting between Putin and Diaz Canel
Cuban and Russia express their common will to strengthen ties

Author: Yaima Puig Meneses | informacion@granmai.cu

Author: Alina Perera Robbio | perera@juventudrebelde.cu

december 1, 2022 09:12:49


The First Secretary of the Party spoke about common ideas on imperialist ambitions, the need to defend multipolarity and others; and also about his admiration for President Vladimir Putin’s profound analysis of history.

Photo: Estudio Revolución
MOSCOW, Russian Federation-The official talks between the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and Russian President Vladimir Putin were marked by camaraderie and a common will to strengthen the relations that distinguish the nations of Cuba and Russia in all areas.

The initial minutes of a dialogue that lasted for two hours, in which many common points were highlighted by both leaders, were released to the press.

Prior to the courtesy lunch, offered to the Cuban Head of State by President Putin, there was an atmosphere of frank cordiality in which the two leaders expressed their satisfaction at being able to see each other again face to face.

In a special way, the Russian dignitary highlighted the recent 19th session of the Intergovernmental Commission and the cooperation plan that exists between the two governments, which provides for the development of many common projects until the year 2030.

“Russia and the Soviet Union have supported the Cuban people in their struggle for sovereignty, for independence; we have always been against the blockade and have supported Cuba on international platforms, and we see that Cuba also maintains similar attitude towards our country,” Putin said.

“This is the result of the traditional friendship founded by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, in whose honor “we dedicate a monument” which is a piece of art because it portrays “the image of a fighter.” President Putin spoke with emotion, admiration and respect about the historic Leader of the Cuban Revolution, a man who inspires and guides also this other side of the world, he said.

” We must strengthen the cooperation we have based on the foundation of friendship and contemporary conditions,” the Head of State concluded.

The President of the Republic of Cuba also spoke of affections, and conveyed a “fraternal greeting from the Army General, who asked me before leaving Cuba to embrace him as a friend,” to his Russian counterpart.

“For us, this visit has a deep significance, we make it at a time when both Russia and Cuba are subjected to unjust, arbitrary sanctions, which come from and have their origin in the same enemy, the U.S. empire,” Diaz-Canel valued.

Reflecting on the current situation of the Eurasian country, the Head of State commented that “we have been under a blockade and we have been receiving these sanctions for more than 60 years, that is why our first commitment has been to continue defending the position of the Russian Federation in this conflict, which we understand has been created and has its origin, unfortunately, in the manipulation of the international public opinion by the United States Government.”

Díaz-Canel commented on the working sessions of the Intergovernmental Commission prior to the visit. “I believe that a group of solutions to the fundamental issues on which we are going to be able to advance in cooperation are being adjusted,” he assured.

The President of the Republic of Cuba highlighted the role being played by the Russian Federation, which “we support, because we want the world to change, the world to move towards multipolarity.”

He recalled with satisfaction how, “in the midst of such a complex situation as the times we are living in, with COVID-19 present, we were able to maintain, albeit not face-to-face, the political dialogue at the highest level, which reflects the good state and the excellent political relations we have”.

“I think we can intensify our talks, our exchanges on global issues, on bilateral issues,” he emphasized.

The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba spoke of common ideas on imperialist ambitions, the need to defend multipolarity and others; and also of the admiration he feels for the profound analysis of history carried out by President Vladimir Putin.

Once again he reiterated that Russia can always count on Cuba and “all our will, our commitment, as admirers that we are of Russian history, of Russian culture; as admirers that we are of its leadership.”

“We are going to do everything to continue strengthening and expanding our ties and our bilateral relations, and in that the concept of continuity we have assumed as a generation is a valid concept; it is not a simple slogan, and that also goes through the will to strengthen relations with the Russian Federation,” he concluded.

An enduring symbol of the undefeated, combative homeland
Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, cut the ribbon at a ceremony to re-inaugurate the statue of the Republic, following its restoration
Yudy Castro Moralesaugust 8, 2019 11:08:20

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Estudios Revolución
Impressive at the center of a space that befits it, the extraordinary statue of the República stands in the Salón de los Pasos Perdidos, in Cuba’s Capitolio, headquarters of the National Assembly, returned to its previous majesty in a recently concluded process of restoration.
In a July 24 ceremony to re-inaugurate the statue was presided by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, who with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, cut the ribbon, in the presence of Political Bureau members Esteban Lazo Hernández, National Assembly President, and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.Also on hand, were other government officials and Gambian Foreign Minister Dr. Mamadou Tangara, who, along with Lavrov, was on an official visit to our country.The statue, according to Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler, Havana city historian, represents “a symbol of the nation”, which for decades has presided over the Capital’s great hall. At the time of its creation, and still today, the República is the third tallest indoor statue in the world, second only to the Golden Buddha in Japan and that of Abraham Lincoln in Washington.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Estudios Revolución
It weighs, he said, “a formidable 49 tons,” of bronze, the work of Italian architect and sculptor, Ángelo Zanelli, which rises to 18.16 meters. The sublime work stands on a pedestal of “ancient Egyptian marble.”
Leal thanked the Russian government for its donation that made possible the restoration of the magnificent statue, which involved a chemical and mechanical cleaning, the repair of cracks and its gold plating. He recognized “the serious work” of the Russian company whose specialists are also participating in efforts to renovate the Capitol’s dome.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Estudios Revolución
Eight Russian women and 14 men were responsible for the project, which began October 17, 2018, and was concluded this past June 21.
Eusebio Leal went on to say that the grand sculpture of a woman holding a spear and a shield, is a symbol of the “undefeated, combative homeland,” and expresses the “continuing will of the Cuban people, who began the struggle in 1868.”
The City Historian explained that the gold also arrived from Russia to plate the statue and the dome, which, he announced, will be unveiled this coming September, as a key part of the Capitol’s renovation. Twenty-four carat gold, he reiterated, “of the highest grade, as pure and important as the friendship between the Russian Federation and the Cuban nation.”
In his remarks, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov emphasized the significance of the Capitol for all generations of Cubans, the sacred site of the Tomb of the Unknown Mambi; as well as its importance as the seat of National Assembly of People’s Power, which directs its efforts toward the development of the country. “Cuba is a faithful friend and strategic partner,” he said. “Our relations have passed the test of time and today continue to develop intensely in all directions.”He said that this joint project was a good example of cooperation between the two nations and reflects the friendship and mutual support that unite us.After the ribbon cutting, Raúl conversed with the restoration team and congratulated them for their excellent work on one of the Capitol’s most valuable pieces.