The second meeting of the Commission on Cooperation between the State Duma and the National Assembly of People's Power of the Republic of Cuba was held in Moscow. It was opened by the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin
Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
and the President of the National
Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba
Esteban Lazo Hernández.
“This meeting is taking
place at a time when our countries are overcoming challenges and countering
sanctions,” said the Chairman of the State Duma. “There have already been
imposed more than 28 thousand sanctions on our country. Cuba has also been
under sanctions pressure, doing everything to protect its sovereignty, for 60
years,” he added.
The Chairman of the State
Duma noted the long-standing friendly relations between Russia and Cuba. The dialogue between the two countries is based on the principles of mutually
beneficial cooperation, the absence of double standards, and non-interference
in the internal affairs of sovereign states, according to Vyacheslav Volodin.
“We should do everything within the framework of inter-parliamentary
cooperation to address issues of concern to both the citizens of Cuba and the citizens of our country,” emphasized the Chairman of the State Duma.
Esteban Lazo Hernández expressed
gratitude to his Russian colleagues for the warm welcome and the opportunity to hold negotiations in such a format.
“You were so right when you
proposed to create such a working mechanism to give impetus to our parliaments,”
the President of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State
of Cuba told Vyacheslav Volodin.
“We work together not only
in the format of personal meetings that we hold in Cuba or in the Russian
Federation, but also within the framework of permanent contacts of the committees,” emphasized Esteban Lazo Hernández.
According to him, parliamentarians play a key role in shaping a multipolar world, where security and cooperation will facilitate interaction
between countries, building a more just and equal world order.
“The strategic nature of our
relations and the friendly ties between the people of Cuba and Russia are a main
force to address the current challenges,” added Esteban Lazo Hernández.
He noted that in 2025, there
are two significant dates for Russia and Cuba: the 80th anniversary of the Victory over fascism and the 65th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic
relations after the Cuban Revolution. “During this time, we have managed to strengthen the roots of our friendship as true brothers who have passed all the tests of time. Russia and Cuba are strategic partners, allies,” added the Speaker of the Parliament of Cuba.
The Chairman of the State
Duma also invited Esteban Lazo Hernández and Cuban parliamentarians to take
part in the International Forum of the Union State “Great Heritage — Common
Future”, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great
Patriotic War. It will be held under the auspices of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Union of Belarus and Russia in the hero city of Volgograd at the end of April.
During the meeting of the Commission, parliamentarians discussed measures necessary for the development
of bilateral relations, including in such areas as agriculture, energy, tourism
and education, as well as legislative activity to counter foreign interference
in internal affairs and protection of national security and sovereignty.
