MINSK, 8 February (BelTA) - Belarus and Cuba are committed to cooperation in all areas, Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova said as she met with outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Belarus Juan Valdes Figueroa in Minsk on 8 February, BelTA has learned.
Natalya Kochanova thanked the ambassador for his work in Belarus.
"We highly appreciate the Belarusian-Cuban relations, and the cooperation between our countries is very important for us. We are mentally very similar to the Cuban people, and our friendship goes way back. We have a warm regard for the Cuban people, just as Cuba has for Belarusians," the speaker said. “In terms of political interaction, it is important that the leaders of our countries have such excellent relations. The visit of the Cuban president to our country in October 2019 gave another impetus to the interaction between our countries. It confirmed that good relations and cooperation, especially in the economy, culture, science, education, healthcare, will continue to develop."
It is important that in this difficult time we support each other in the international arena, Natalya Kochanova stressed. "We are concerned about what is happening today in the world, in many countries. Therefore, people of goodwill who understand what peace, sovereignty, independence and freedom are should support each other. This is crucial," she added. “Undoubtedly, cooperation between parliamentarians is very important for us. A friendship group has been established in the National Assembly. We are looking forward to a close relationship between our MPs. We will always be happy to welcome our colleagues from Cuba in Belarus. I think we need to move at a faster pace."
The speaker stated that in 2021 the trade between the two countries rose. "We have begun to interact more effectively. We are committed to cooperating in absolutely all areas. I know that in the current conditions of COVID, Cuba has very effective producers of the vaccines. We have already discussed this topic with the healthcare minister. He has been in touch with his colleagues in Cuba on this matter," Natalya Kochanova said.
"I am sure that Belarus will be always in your heart. Our country cannot but be loved. Anyone who has ever been here will always have good feelings for the Belarusian people and country,” the speaker added.
For his part, the ambassador said that Belarusians are kind people, always friendly towards Cubans. According to him, relations between the two countries are developing in many areas. But special attention should be paid to the economy.
"The most important thing is to advance trade and investment cooperation," Ambassador Juan Valdes Figueroa noted.
The ambassador added that the countries support each other in the international arena. Belarus has repeatedly spokes against the economic blockade of Cuba. "The fact that both countries are facing external sanctions today suggests that Cuba and Belarus have established themselves as truly independent and sovereign states that work in the name of their peoples," Ambassador Juan Valdes Figueroa said.
