NUCLEAR POWER IN BELARUS AND WORLDWIDE
MINSK, 16 December (BelTA) - The Presidium of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus adopted a statement calling to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, BelTA learned from the press service of the upper house of Belarusian Parliament.
"The Presidency of the Council of the Republic strongly condemns the use of sanctions by the United States of America against the Republic of Cuba. We regard the actions by the United States as a systemic gross violation of the principles and norms of international law enshrined in the UN Charter. We welcome the adoption, on 3 November 2022, of the UNGA resolution ‘Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba'. The results of the vote on it confirmed the almost unanimous non-acceptance by the international community of the policy of sanctions and restrictive measures," the statement reads.
The Council of the Republic categorically opposes the use of any unilateral restrictive measures against sovereign states members of the United Nations. "The main task of states illegally using restrictive measures is to inflict maximum economic harm on other states in order to overthrow their governments," the statement says. “The application of unilateral restrictions constitutes direct interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, in flagrant violation of the UN Charter and international law. Such actions are directed, among other things, against the principle of multilateral cooperation, destroying international relations and sowing hostility between subjects of international law."
Washington's sanctions against Cuba have remained in force for more than 60 years, despite their repeated condemnation by the international community in the relevant resolutions by the UN General Assembly. According to the statement of the Council of the Republic, the economic embargo against Cuba has become the longest act of economic warfare against a sovereign state, and its effects continue to limit the country's opportunities for economic growth by discouraging foreign investment, hindering trade with third countries, creating the greatest possible obstacle to banking and other financial transactions. "The policy of sanctions condemned by the international community causes enormous damage to the Cuban people, depriving them of basic income and basic necessities, including medicines," the Council of the Republic stressed.
Cooperation between Belarus and Cuba is based on long-standing traditions of friendship and mutual respect. "We reaffirm our commitment to furthering the Belarusian-Cuban mutual understanding and trust and to continuing work to strengthen multifaceted cooperation, including its parliamentary dimension," the statement reads. “Demonstrating solidarity and support for the friendly people of the Republic of Cuba, stressing the importance of the resolution of the UN General Assembly and reaffirming the principles of the sovereign equality of states, non-interference in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation, the Presidium of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus expresses its unwavering solidarity with the people of the Republic of Cuba and calls upon the parliaments of foreign states and international parliamentary organizations to adopt acts in support of the speedy implementation of the UNGA resolutions on the need to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against the Republic of Cuba."
