Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation
Anton Kobyakov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic
of Cuba to the Russian Federation J. Garmendia Peña met in Moscow. The meeting
discussed the development of trade and economic relations between the
countries, cooperation in science and education, as well as the participation
of representatives of the Republic of Cuba in key business events, including
the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will be held on 2–5 June.
“Even amid the pandemic, we see a dynamic development
of Russian-Cuban relations, their non-opportunistic nature and focus on the
future. In recent years highest-level political contacts between Russia and
Cuba have become increasingly sound and productive. The potential of trade and
economic cooperation between Russia and Cuba is unlocked through regular
meetings of official and business circles of both countries, including those
taking place at international events, contributing to the maintenance and
development of bilateral dialogue," said Adviser to the President of the
Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organizing Committee Anton
Kobyakov. He also noted the significant help that Cuban doctors offered to many
countries in the fight against the coronavirus.
Cuban representative delegation traditionally takes an
active part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This year the
Forum business programme will also include the Russia–Latin America business
dialogue. The meeting noted that SPIEF continues to be an effective international
platform for dialogue on key issues of the global agenda and discussed the
participation of the Cuban delegation in SPIEF 2021.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
Republic of Cuba to the Russian Federation J. Garmendia Peña spoke about Cuba's
experience in developing its own COVID-19 vaccines and shared his thoughts
about the success of the Russian science: “The coronavirus pandemic has posed an
unprecedented challenge to the entire world and has once again emphasized the
need for increased cooperation between healthcare agencies. In this regard,
Russia is among world leaders; you were able to develop a number of unique
vaccines in the shortest possible time, and today the Sputnik V vaccine has
been approved in 61 countries. This is a significant contribution to the global
fight against the coronavirus."
During the meeting, the parties discussed resuming field
events aimed at establishing direct contacts between Russian and Latin American
business circles, which is an important mechanism for developing long-term ties
between Russia and Latin American countries. Among the successfully implemented
joint business events is the Second Russia–Latin America Business Forum, which
took place on 29 October 2018 in Havana and attracted global attention. The
Forum was attended by 91 Russian and 44 Cuban companies. The event was
organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Economic Development
of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian
Federation, and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of the
Republic of Cuba.
