MINSK, 14 October (BelTA) - Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel thanked the states of the Eurasian Economic Union for their support in countering the criminal policy of the United States towards his country as he attended a web-based meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council. Cuba has an observer status in the Eurasian Economic Union, BelTA has learned.
Miguel Diaz-Canel stressed that Cuba will always appreciate the observer status in the EAEU, which provides an exceptional opportunity to expand the traditional historical ties of friendship and cooperation. "I would like to extend appreciation to Belarus for hosting our meeting, to the Eurasian Economic Commission and its chairman Mikhail Myasnikovich," he said.
"The global situation is difficult being affected by multi-sphere crises exacerbated or generated by the COVID-19 pandemic and in some cases under the influence of unilateral coercive measures used by interventionist governments with strong economies," the Cuban leader stated.
In such circumstances, he stressed, cooperation, solidarity and integration, which should be natural forms of relations between countries, become essential, do not tolerate delays and are practically the only way to guarantee the sustainable economic development of countries.
Miguel Diaz-Canel noted that in his country the impact of the pandemic is exacerbated by the deliberate and unlawful steps to tighten the economic, trade and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. government more than 60 years ago. "I take this opportunity to once again thank the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union for their support in the struggle to put an end to this criminal policy towards Cuba," he said.
The Cuban president expressed interest in further development of trade and economic cooperation with the EAEU states and expressed readiness to share healthcare and biotechnology achievements.
Among the priority areas for Cuba is tourism, which was affected by the pandemic in the first place. Miguel Diaz-Canel declared his readiness to create favorable and attractive conditions for tourists from the EAEU countries. “Starting from 15 November, when more than 90% of the Cuban population will be vaccinated, our borders will gradually reopen. Sanitary and hygienic protocols for arriving passengers will also be relaxed. There will be no need to present a PCR test result, the vaccination certificate will be recognized. We welcome our guests in advance,” the Cuban leader said.
Another pressing issue he mentioned in his speech was the production of food in sufficient amounts to ensure the food sovereignty of the country.
