Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is on a tour of Latin America. He has visited Brazil, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. He arrived in Cuba yesterday.
His visit to promote cooperation in political, commercial, educational, humanitarian, cultural, and other fields, began April 17 and will last until April 21.
Lavrov’s Latin American agenda includes discussions on responses to geopolitical challenges.
The Foreign Minister has met with each nation’s president and negotiated with their foreign ministers.
In Havana, Lavrov participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the José Martí Memorial. He has met with President Miguel Diaz-Canel and his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla. They are discussing a wide spectrum of issues, including cooperation development and regional and international problems.
Minister Lavrov Lavrov noted that the meeting touched on “the whole complex of our bilateral relations”, including the discussion of “additional spheres in which we can develop and increase our trade and economic cooperation.”
Russia and Cuba cooperate in trade in many sectors. Furthermore, the two countries participate in an intergovernmental commission and have identified bilateral priority projects until 2030.
Sergei Lavrov on Russia’s Relationship with Cuba
In an interview with Prensa Latina, Lavrov described Moscow’s relations with Havana as a strategic partnership. “But these are cold, hard words. They (the relations) are deeper, they are rooted in human ties, in sympathies between our peoples to each other. Naturally, they will develop further,” he said.
In the past, there have been many official visits between Cuba and Russia’s government representatives.
In November 2022, the two countries discussed Russian assistance in the modernization of the Antillana de Acero metallurgical works and the deliveries of railway engines and cars. Cuba is interested in fertilizers and wheat. The two countries also cooperate in education, biotechnology and health.
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Lavrov’s visit will focus on strengthening the international legal foundations of the modern world, based on the United Nations Charter.
Cuba and Russia cooperate in tourism, and many Russian tourists visit the Island. Last March, banks in Havana began accepting the Russian MIR payment card. Recently, the Cuban Ambassador to Russia, Julio Antonio Garmendia Pena, said he hoped Russian tourists will soon be able to use the MIR cards in restaurants and stores.
Russia views Latin America as a friendly region and one of the centers of a multi-polar world. According to a Russian source, it intends to maintain dynamic dialogue and develop constructive cooperation that is not subject to external dictates.
Further reading: article by Sergei Lavrov: “Russia and Latin America: Forward-looking partnership and cooperation.”
