MINSK, 23 October (BelTA) – Belarus and Cuba have a clear political will to advance constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement after negotiations with Cuba President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez in Minsk on 23 October, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed it is the first visit of the Cuban head of state to Belarus in the history of modern bilateral relations. “For us it is an important step on the way to further tighter strategic partnership between Minsk and Havana. It confirms that Cuba's vector of priorities will not change. We already met in the Belarusian land three years ago when Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez was the first vice president of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba,” the Belarusian leader noted.
In his words, those negotiations allowed giving a tangible impulse to the development of Belarusian-Cuban relations, which had been exemplary even before that from the point of view of mutual understanding and mutual trust.
“And today at the top level we've discussed the entire complex of matters of our bilateral agenda and have worked out the relevant decisions for the long run. This meeting confirms our countries have a clear political will to continue constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation, to implement new joint projects for the benefit of the nations,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
The president noted his conversation with the Cuban counterpart had been thorough, meaningful, friendly, and sincere. Aleksandr Lukashenko congratulated the Cuban head of state on the successful constitutional reform and the victory in the presidential election. “I am convinced that the new constitution approved by the Cuban people and securing the accomplishments of the Cuban revolution of the last few decades will become a reliable basis for further stable and systematic development of the brotherly country of Cuba despite all the hardships and external hindrances,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
During the meeting Aleksandr Lukashenko and Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez discussed the state of affairs in the world and regions in a sincere manner. The sides confirmed the two countries share each other's approaches to key items on the global agenda.
“For us Cuba has been and will remain a strategic partner in Latin America and the Caribbean. The affinity of foreign policy principles of Minsk and Havana such as equality, non-interference with domestic affairs of sovereign countries, rejection of forceful ways to resolve differences allow us to constructively cooperate on international platforms,” the Belarusian leader noted.
Excellent political relations between Belarus and Cuba are complemented by the dynamically advancing cooperation in education and science. “Both countries highly prioritize the development of information technologies. Taking into account the serious administrative base developed and successfully used in Belarus, we've exchanged opinions about possibly sharing our cutting-edge experience with Cuban friends,” the head of state said.
Close attention was paid to trade and economic affairs. The implementation of joint projects was analyzed and promising avenues of cooperation were sketched out. “Belarusian machines and vehicles proved themselves as a reliable helper of Cuban farmers, construction workers, and industry workers a long time ago. Our tractors, trucks, and attachments are successfully used in Cuban agriculture. Quality Belarusian engines are actively used to modernize the Cuban stock of agricultural machines,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. “We've agreed to continue modernizing and repairing agricultural machines in Cuba. We intend to continue fostering tight interaction in this sphere.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that new projects both sides are interested in have been worked out in the last few years. For instance, Belarus can supply machine tools to Cuba. The establishment of the joint production of household appliances of Belarusian design in Cuba is also highly interesting.
In turn, Belarus uses cutting-edge internationally recognized products made by the Cuban biopharmaceutical industry. The possibility of expanding the choice of imported Cuban medications is under consideration as well as the transfer of technologies to make them using Belarusian enterprises.
