Diaz-Canel addresses State Duma of Russian Federal Assembly

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 22 (ACN) Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban communist party and president of the country, took part today at the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the first time a Cuban leader has spoken at this legislative body.

As reported by the Presidency on Twitter, in his remarks he said that parliamentary relations between the two countries are an important pillar of bilateral ties and a key element for the promotion and development of their ties in different areas.

Diaz-Canel, on behalf of the Cuban people, thanked the resolution that the State Duma has been passing for 25 years in protest against the policy of economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed for more than 60 years by the US government against Cuba.

The president referred to the aid received from Russia during the pandemic peak last year, as well as the Saratoga Hotel explosion, the fire at the Supertanker Base and Hurricane Ian, which occurred during May, August and September of the current year.

Every time Cuba was faced with challenges and emergencies, which seemed impossible to solve, Russia's helping hand was extended among the first ones and thanks to that we overcame the challenges, we appreciate and value that gesture very much, the head of state affirmed.

As for political relations, Cuban leader stated that there are wide coincidences on the main issues of the international agenda and a decisive cooperation in international bodies.

He considered as a priority the full development of economic, commercial, financial and cooperation ties to bring them to the same level as these relations have.

The Cuban President condemned the sanctions imposed unilaterally and unjustly on the Eurasian country and called for a negotiated solution to this situation.

During his speech, Diaz-Canel recalled the visit of the President of the State Duma to the Caribbean nation in February this year and said that soon the head of the National Assembly of People's Power, Esteban Lazo Hernández, will be in Moscow.