At the Okhotny Ryad on Friday, Deputy Chairman of the International Committee on Foreign Affairs, member of the United Russia faction Irina Rodnina met with head of the Department of International Relations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (CCP) Jose Ramon Balaguer Cabrera.
The Russian side was also attended by the head of the Department of International Relations of the CEC of the United Russia party Konstantin Petrechenko and the adviser of the Department for International Relations of the Central Election Commission of the United Russia Nikolay Litvak; the Cuban side – the Ambassador of Cuba to Russia Gerardo Peñalver Portal, the deputy head of the Department of International Relations of the Central Committee of the CPC Jose Carlos Marzan and the adviser and head of the political branch of the Embassy of Cuba in Russia, Barbara Sarabia Martinez.
The sides discussed the state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations, as well as cooperation on topical issues on the international agenda.
Jose Ramon Balaguer Cabrera expressed his gratitude to the United Russia faction for supporting the appeal to the UN General Assembly and inter-parliamentary organizations in the State Duma to end the economic blockade of Cuba. Recall, September 27, 2017 Russian MPs urged the US authorities to “stop impeding the implementation of Cuba’s sovereign rights” and withdraw from the republic’s trade and financial embargo.
“In addition, we highly value the voice of Russia in favor of the adoption of a resolution on the need to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo of Cuba, which our country annually represents in the UN General Assembly,” the CCP official said, noting that the next vote on the “Cuban” resolution the UN will be held on October 31.
Cabrera stressed that Havana is against the policy of sanctions pressure, which the US is using against Russia. “What is happening now has no analogues,” he said.
During the meeting, he also recalled how the US leadership unfoundedly blamed Cuba for “acoustic attacks” on US diplomats in Havana, which resulted in November 26, 26 people were injured. He also noted the similarity of this story with the accusations of a number of Western countries against Russia in the “case of the Violins”.
Cabrera also expressed concern about the international situation, particularly the situation in the Middle East. According to him, the actions of the administration of Donald Trump are destabilizing.
Irina Rodnina, in turn, said that Cuba for many decades “is an example of fortitude and courage.” “In our opinion, the actions of the United States against Cuba and the blockade that has been going on for so many years, the information pressure are all unhealthy manifestations of strong neighbors,” she said, noting that “we will always support Cuba.”
The parliamentarian expressed hope for further strengthening of economic and humanitarian ties between Russia and Cuba. “I think we will continue to strengthen our relations in all areas – both in the field of economy and education,” she said.
Rodnina also stressed the futility of the US sanctions policy towards Russia. “It seems that these people do not know the Russian people well. The more we are pressured, the stronger we become. Therefore, these troubles will survive, especially when we have such friends – our favorite people of Cuba,” the politician said.
At the end of the meeting, Jose Ramon Balaguer Cabrera invited the delegation of the United Russia party to make an official visit to Cuba in 2019.