WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.040 --> 00:00:03.993 Ladies and gentlemen, 2 00:00:03.993 --> 00:00:07.386 It is a pleasure to welcome the Chairman of the Cuban State Council 3 00:00:07.386 --> 00:00:11.438 and the Council of Ministers to Russia. 4 00:00:11.438 --> 00:00:18.620 Let me note that this is Mr Diaz-Canel’s first official visit to Russia 5 00:00:18.620 --> 00:00:22.340 since he assumed office as head of state. 6 00:00:22.340 --> 00:00:28.601 We have held detailed talks, including with the participation of key 7 00:00:28.601 --> 00:00:33.710 ministers, discussed the entire range of issues related to bilateral 8 00:00:33.710 --> 00:00:35.713 cooperation and examined topical matters 9 00:00:35.713 --> 00:00:38.486 on the international and regional agendas. 10 00:00:38.486 --> 00:00:41.667 The atmosphere of the meeting was friendly, 11 00:00:41.667 --> 00:00:44.263 businesslike and constructive. 12 00:00:44.263 --> 00:00:48.243 This characterises the Russian-Cuban dialogue. 13 00:00:48.243 --> 00:00:52.949 Our nations are linked by strong ties of many years of friendship, 14 00:00:52.949 --> 00:00:57.372 mutual sympathy, respect, solidarity and support. 15 00:00:57.372 --> 00:01:02.675 The joint statement we have just signed reaffirms the strategic 16 00:01:02.675 --> 00:01:05.896 and allied relations between our counties. 17 00:01:05.896 --> 00:01:11.236 Naturally, we gave a great deal of attention to economic cooperation. 18 00:01:11.236 --> 00:01:19.119 Let me note that bilateral trade grew by 17 percent last year. 19 00:01:19.119 --> 00:01:24.268 Of course, these are modest figures and volumes in absolute terms, 20 00:01:24.268 --> 00:01:27.602 but we know what we need to do next. 21 00:01:27.602 --> 00:01:32.641 This is why Mr Diaz-Canel and I have instructed the intergovernmental 22 00:01:32.641 --> 00:01:35.621 commission, which had a regular meeting in Havana this week, 23 00:01:35.621 --> 00:01:40.938 to outline concrete measures to increase bilateral trade 24 00:01:40.938 --> 00:01:44.110 and expand investment cooperation. 25 00:01:44.130 --> 00:01:48.587 We have accumulated positive experience in the energy industry. 26 00:01:48.587 --> 00:01:54.338 Russia’s oil and petroleum product supplies make a weighty contribution 27 00:01:54.338 --> 00:01:59.699 to the resources of the Cuban economy and guarantee energy security. 28 00:01:59.699 --> 00:02:04.182 Russian energy companies successfully operate in Cuba. 29 00:02:04.182 --> 00:02:08.863 Rosneft is conducting a geological survey on the Cuban continental 30 00:02:08.863 --> 00:02:12.051 shelf and modernising the country’s refineries. 31 00:02:12.051 --> 00:02:17.868 Zarubezhneft is developing a large offshore oil field. 32 00:02:17.868 --> 00:02:21.638 Inter RAO is building four new energy units for a Cuban 33 00:02:21.638 --> 00:02:23.297 thermal power plant. 34 00:02:23.297 --> 00:02:27.608 There is mutually beneficial industrial cooperation. 35 00:02:27.608 --> 00:02:33.992 Russian companies are involved in the technical refurbishing of Cuban 36 00:02:33.992 --> 00:02:38.965 factories that produce metal and nickel products and nitrogen 37 00:02:38.965 --> 00:02:41.720 fertiliser. We are cooperating on the production of innovative 38 00:02:41.720 --> 00:02:45.416 on e-of-a-kind medications. 39 00:02:45.416 --> 00:02:48.345 Russia is offering Cuba assistance in building transport 40 00:02:48.345 --> 00:02:51.073 infrastructure facilities. 41 00:02:51.073 --> 00:02:55.858 Today we talked about renovating the Cuban railway system, 42 00:02:55.858 --> 00:02:59.793 which should triple passenger traffic and double cargo 43 00:02:59.793 --> 00:03:02.553 shipments throughout the country. 44 00:03:02.553 --> 00:03:06.442 We are preparing for the deployment of a Russian GLONASS 45 00:03:06.442 --> 00:03:08.370 ground station in Cuba. 46 00:03:08.370 --> 00:03:13.801 As a result, our Cuban partners will get access to extensive technical 47 00:03:13.801 --> 00:03:17.685 capabilities for Earth remote sensing and satellite 48 00:03:17.685 --> 00:03:20.153 and telecommunications services. 49 00:03:20.153 --> 00:03:25.068 Overall, I would like to stress that Russian businesses are willing 50 00:03:25.068 --> 00:03:29.511 to participate in the large-scale modernisation of Cuba’s 51 00:03:29.511 --> 00:03:32.938 national economy. Specific projects will be discussed today during 52 00:03:32.938 --> 00:03:36.960 President Diaz-Canel’s meeting with our leading business people. 53 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:40.874 Of course, we also covered the development of cultural 54 00:03:40.874 --> 00:03:42.512 and humanitarian links. 55 00:03:42.512 --> 00:03:46.336 Our plans include opening a branch of the Russian Museum in Cuba that 56 00:03:46.336 --> 00:03:51.285 would become the first multi-purpose centre for learning the Russian 57 00:03:51.285 --> 00:03:55.569 language, Russian arts and culture in Latin America. 58 00:03:55.569 --> 00:04:00.911 I also want to mention that Russia is providing assistance in restoring 59 00:04:00.911 --> 00:04:03.820 the gilt on the dome of the El Capitolio in Havana, 60 00:04:03.820 --> 00:04:07.101 which houses the Cuban National Assembly. 61 00:04:07.121 --> 00:04:10.915 We plan to complete the restoration by the 500th 62 00:04:10.915 --> 00:04:13.684 anniversary of Havana next year. 63 00:04:13.684 --> 00:04:19.912 We intend to continue to assist in the training of highly skilled Cuban 64 00:04:19.912 --> 00:04:22.681 professionals in various fields. 65 00:04:22.681 --> 00:04:26.705 As a reminder, about 30,000 Cubans have received higher 66 00:04:26.705 --> 00:04:28.873 education in our country. 67 00:04:28.873 --> 00:04:34.482 Currently, 250 Cuban citizens are studying at Russian universities. 68 00:04:34.482 --> 00:04:38.193 Cuba has always been and certainly remains one of the most popular 69 00:04:38.193 --> 00:04:40.959 destinations for Russian tourists. 70 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:45.300 Last year, about 100,000 Russians visited the republic. 71 00:04:45.300 --> 00:04:50.090 In December, an updated intergovernmental agreement will take effect 72 00:04:50.090 --> 00:04:54.401 establishing a simplified entry procedure on both sides, 73 00:04:54.401 --> 00:04:57.132 simplifying mutual visa requirements. 74 00:04:57.132 --> 00:05:00.607 When discussing the global and regional agenda, 75 00:05:00.607 --> 00:05:02.889 the participants noted the proximity of the two countries’ positions 76 00:05:02.889 --> 00:05:05.473 on the most important issues. 77 00:05:05.473 --> 00:05:09.311 They also reaffirmed mutual interest in further 78 00:05:09.311 --> 00:05:12.513 coordinating their joint steps on the world stage. 79 00:05:12.513 --> 00:05:18.453 Russia and Cuba have always supported and continue to support strict 80 00:05:18.453 --> 00:05:22.140 observance of the key principles of international law stipulated 81 00:05:22.140 --> 00:05:26.526 in the UN Charter, including respect for the sovereignty and interests 82 00:05:26.526 --> 00:05:30.779 of all states, the unacceptability of power politics, 83 00:05:30.779 --> 00:05:35.595 the use of unilateral sanctions and interference in internal affairs. 84 00:05:35.595 --> 00:05:40.289 We agreed with our Cuban friends to deepen cooperation in the fight 85 00:05:40.289 --> 00:05:45.394 against transnational organised crime, including in cyberspace, 86 00:05:45.394 --> 00:05:48.296 illicit drug production and trafficking, 87 00:05:48.296 --> 00:05:51.609 and other present-day challenges and threats. 88 00:05:51.609 --> 00:05:56.992 Our Cuban friends fully share Russia’s commitment to deepening dialogue 89 00:05:56.992 --> 00:06:02.746 with regional organisations and integration associations of South 90 00:06:02.746 --> 00:06:05.533 America and the Caribbean and will provide us with 91 00:06:05.533 --> 00:06:07.156 the necessary assistance. 92 00:06:07.156 --> 00:06:13.139 In conclusion, I would like to thank Mr Diaz-Canel and all our Cuban 93 00:06:13.139 --> 00:06:16.654 friends and colleagues for the substantive and productive discussion. 94 00:06:16.654 --> 00:06:21.571 I am confident that the agreements reached today will help further 95 00:06:21.571 --> 00:06:25.343 strengthen the friendly ties between Russia and Cuba. 96 00:06:25.343 --> 00:06:27.505 Thank you. 97 00:06:27.505 --> 00:06:41.622 President Putin, ladies and gentlemen, 98 00:06:41.622 --> 00:06:46.139 For us, this visit symbolises the continuation 99 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:55.438 and continuity of the Cuban Revolution. 100 00:06:55.438 --> 00:07:00.959 Being faithful followers of the legacy of Commander-in-Chief Fidel 101 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:02.368 Castro Ruz and Army General Raul Castro Ruz, 102 00:07:02.368 --> 00:07:08.204 we maintain and constantly work to strengthen relations 103 00:07:08.204 --> 00:07:10.705 between Cuba and Russia. 104 00:07:10.705 --> 00:07:18.997 This alone accounts for the importance of this visit, which, 105 00:07:18.997 --> 00:07:22.797 I am confident, will become a milestone in our relations. 106 00:07:22.797 --> 00:07:30.862 Notably, yesterday, when we arrived in Moscow, 107 00:07:32.882 --> 00:07:42.180 the capital of the country that stood up for Cuba from the first years 108 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:49.790 of the revolution, it was here that we learned the news of Cuba’s 109 00:07:49.790 --> 00:07:56.554 victory at the UN, which makes this visit particularly important. 110 00:07:56.554 --> 00:08:01.793 I think that coincidences in history occasionally pinpoint 111 00:08:01.793 --> 00:08:04.286 moments that are important to everyone. 112 00:08:04.286 --> 00:08:09.824 I had productive talks with Mr Vladimir Putin, 113 00:08:09.824 --> 00:08:12.780 which were another confirmation of the great state 114 00:08:12.780 --> 00:08:14.135 of bilateral relations. 115 00:08:14.135 --> 00:08:20.979 We recalled with satisfaction Mr Putin’s productive visit to Havana 116 00:08:20.979 --> 00:08:26.005 and our meaningful meetings, when I had the honour to greet him 117 00:08:26.005 --> 00:08:28.594 at the airport upon his arrival in our country. 118 00:08:28.594 --> 00:08:33.719 Since then, we have maintained and expanded our exchanges 119 00:08:33.719 --> 00:08:35.574 at the highest level. 120 00:08:35.574 --> 00:08:39.727 We noted the importance of bilateral relations 121 00:08:39.727 --> 00:08:42.737 and the opportunities for further development. 122 00:08:42.737 --> 00:08:47.113 We are very pleased with the numerous instances of shared vision 123 00:08:47.113 --> 00:08:51.000 on international issues, especially with regard to protecting peace 124 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:53.447 and the role of international organisations, 125 00:08:53.447 --> 00:08:57.387 as well as close cooperation at various international 126 00:08:57.387 --> 00:08:59.104 platforms and organisations. 127 00:08:59.104 --> 00:09:06.681 I am grateful for Russia's steadfast stance against the commercial, 128 00:09:06.681 --> 00:09:08.744 economic and financial embargo, 129 00:09:08.744 --> 00:09:11.549 which is causing damage to my country. 130 00:09:11.549 --> 00:09:17.315 We plan to expand our trade and economic ties and bring them 131 00:09:17.315 --> 00:09:21.036 to the high level that we enjoy in the political sphere. 132 00:09:21.056 --> 00:09:24.878 Joint projects in energy, transport, 133 00:09:24.878 --> 00:09:29.419 the steel industry and biotechnology have an important place in our 134 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:34.943 plans for economic growth and great potential. 135 00:09:34.943 --> 00:09:38.935 I am grateful for President Putin’s willingness, 136 00:09:38.935 --> 00:09:43.513 since the start of my mandate, to assist in promoting 137 00:09:43.513 --> 00:09:46.388 Cuba’s industrial development. 138 00:09:46.388 --> 00:09:52.810 This is realised in Russia's participation in Cuba’s socioeconomic 139 00:09:52.810 --> 00:09:56.932 development projects until 2030 and beyond. 140 00:09:56.932 --> 00:10:02.542 I reiterate the importance of the bonds of friendship that exist 141 00:10:02.542 --> 00:10:08.150 between our countries, which form the foundation of bilateral 142 00:10:08.150 --> 00:10:16.403 relations. The joint declaration that we signed envisages all aspects 143 00:10:16.403 --> 00:10:22.405 of our relations in the economic, political and social spheres, 144 00:10:22.405 --> 00:10:24.228 which Mr Putin also mentioned, and serves as confirmation 145 00:10:24.228 --> 00:10:25.980 of our continued future relations. 146 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:34.049 I conveyed to President Putin the invitation by the Cuban government 147 00:10:34.049 --> 00:10:38.476 and the people to come to our country on an official visit next year, 148 00:10:38.476 --> 00:10:41.083 which marks the fifth anniversary of his previous visit 149 00:10:41.083 --> 00:10:42.248 to our country in 2014. 150 00:10:42.248 --> 00:10:44.020 Thank you.