On Friday, Irina Rodnina
Irina Konstantinovna
,
Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, member
of the United Russia faction, hold a meeting with José Ramón Balaguer Cabrera,
Head of the Department of International Relations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC).
On the Russian side, Head of the Department of International Relations of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the party ”United Russia“ Konstantin Petrechenko and Advisor of the Department of International Relations of the CEC ”United Russia“ Nikolai Litvak also attended the meeting; on the Cuban side — Ambassador of Cuba to Russia Gerardo Peñalver Portal, Deputy Head of the Department of International Relations of the Central Committee of the CCP Jose Carlos Marzan and Advisor and Head of the Political Department of the Embassy of Cuba in Russia Barbara Sarabia Martinez.
The parties discussed the state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations, as well as topical issues of cooperation on the international agenda.
José Ramón Balaguer Cabrera expressed his gratitude to the United Russia faction for supporting the State Duma's appeal to the UN General Assembly and inter-parliamentary organizations to lift the economic embargo against Cuba. On September 27, 2017, Russian members of Parliament urged the US authorities to ”stop hampering Cuba's sovereign rights“ and lift the trade and financial embargo against the Republic.
”In addition, we value the voice of Russia in favor of the adoption of a resolution on the need to lift the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, which our country submits every year in the UN General Assembly,“ the CPC representative said, noting that the next vote on the ”Cuban“ resolution in the UN will be held on October 31.
Cabrera stressed that Havana opposes the sanctions policy, which the United States use against Russia. ”What is happening now has no parallel,“ he said.
During the meeting, he also reminded how US authorities unjustifiably blamed Cuba for the ”acoustic attack“ on US diplomats in Havana, when 26 American citizens have been affected since November 2016. He also noted the similarity between this occasion and the accusations of a number of Western countries against Russia in the Skripals case.
Cabrera also expressed concern about the international environment, in particular the situation in the Middle East. According to him, the actions of the Donald Trump’s administration are destabilizing.
Irina Rodnina said that Cuba for many decades ”has been an example of resilience and courage.“ ”In our opinion, the actions of the United States against Cuba and the embargo continuing for so many years, the information pressure are painful manifestations of strong neighbors,“ she said, noting that ”we will always support Cuba.“
The parliamentarian expressed hope for further strengthening economic and humanitarian ties between Russia and Cuba. ”I think we will continue to strengthen our relations in all areas — in the field of economy and education,“ she said.
Rodnina also noted the futility of the US sanctions policy against Russia. ”It seems that these people do not know the Russian people well. The more we are under pressure, the stronger we get. Therefore, we get through it, especially when we have such friends — our beloved people of Cuba, ‘the politician said.
At the end of the meeting, José Ramón Balaguer Cabrera invited the delegation of the United Russia party to pay an official visit to Cuba in 2019.
