Cuba ratifies its willingness to strengthen ties with Russian Orthodox Church

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 22 (ACN) Miguel Diaz-Canel, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban communist party and president of the country, ratified today the Cuban government's will to continue developing friendship, solidarity and respectful relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, in a meeting with His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

The Cuban head of state said on Twitter that it was an honor to greet the Patriarch, to whom he wished health and personal happiness, on the occasion of his official visit to that Eurasian country, where he arrived last Saturday.

During the meeting, Diaz-Canel expressed his gratitude for the firm positions of the Russian Orthodox Church against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba, according to Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on the same social network.

Tuesday, the Cuban head of state was also received by Valentina Matvienko, president of the Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, in an exchange that the president described as fruitful.

According to a tweet by Diaz-Canel, they expressed satisfaction with the high level of political dialogue, the excellent state of bilateral relations and the willingness to continue boosting cooperation.

As part of the meeting, he participated in the opening of the exhibition Oh, Havana! Transit... which features works by Russian artists on the Caribbean nation.

Diaz-Canel acknowledged the talent and creativity of those who made that space possible and shared the conviction that Russia will always be able to count on his country.

 The head of the Russian Upper Chamber explained that the works were in 18 major Russian cities and were appreciated by more than 1.5 million people.

The Cuban president concludes Tuesday his official visit to Russia, which began on November 19, after working days in Algeria, as part of his international tour that also includes Turkey and China.