MINSK, 12 June (BelTA) - Belarus demands the exclusion of Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Shestakov told the media following the 11th meeting of the Belarusian-Cuban joint commission on trade and economic cooperation in Minsk on 12 June, BelTA has learned.
“We are grateful to the authorities of Cuba for the unwavering and unconditional support of Belarusian foreign policy interests in the international arena,” Evgeny Shestakov said.
He also reiterated that Belarus “cherishes special fraternal relations with Cuba, which has traditionally been a reliable springboard for us, a gateway for expanding cooperation between Belarus and the rest of the states of this important region,” he said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to once again emphasize the unchanged Belarusian position on the unacceptability of the economic, trade and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba,” the deputy minister emphasized. “It should also be noted that since January 2021 Cuba has been unfairly and unjustifiably included by Washington in the State Sponsors of Terrorism List.
“The USA is obviously trying to increase pressure on Cuba, to force the Cubans to give up their independence and the path of development chosen by this nation,” Evgeny Shestakov said.
“However, no matter what absurd accusations the United States hurls at Cuba, the world community has long known that the Island of Freedom is not a sponsor but a victim of terrorism,” the Belarusian deputy minister of foreign affairs said. “We express our support to the Cuban people and demand the exclusion of Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List.”
“We are grateful to the authorities of Cuba for the unwavering and unconditional support of Belarusian foreign policy interests in the international arena,” Evgeny Shestakov said.
He also reiterated that Belarus “cherishes special fraternal relations with Cuba, which has traditionally been a reliable springboard for us, a gateway for expanding cooperation between Belarus and the rest of the states of this important region,” he said.