MINSK, 30 November (BelTA) - Good and friendly relations between Belarus and Cuba have stood the test of time, Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova said as she met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Belarus Santiago Perez Benitez in Minsk on 30 November, BelTA has learned.
“First of all I would like to note that there are good and friendly relations between Belarus and Cuba, which have stood the test of time. It has historically evolved that way. Undoubtedly, this is a great merit of the presidents of our countries. Today we understand that our countries are sovereign states that develop in accordance with their national interests. We see however that in this rapidly changing world, not everyone is happy with such a state of affairs. We believe that the sanctions pressure, which is put on Cuba and Belarus, is unjustified, because interference in internal affairs is unacceptable. We have always stayed committed to these positions,” said Natalya Kochanova.
Every country has the right to develop as it sees fit, in accordance with its national interests, the speaker said. “Our country has also experienced the things that have happened and are happening to Cuba. This is an unprecedented pressure of Western countries, which is put on our country today. But all the more important is the interaction that is taking shape between our countries,” the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic stressed. “We have always supported each other, especially in international arena and international organizations. I would like to thank you for that support, because you have given us a shoulder in 2020. We have always supported Cuba in its independent development.”
