Cuba and Russia mark 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations

HAVANA, Cuba, May 7 (ACN) Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel led today at the State Duma headquarters in Moscow, the ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The celebration is one of the main activities of the official visit of the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) to the Eurasian nation, at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism.

The event was also attended by Valentina Matvienko, president of the Russian Federation Council (Senate).

In his speech, Diaz-Canel said that today, Cuba and Russia are looking with firmness and determination towards the future.

He also called to continue working towards the welfare and prosperity of two heroic brotherly nations: the Russian and the Cuban.

Our friendship has stood the test of time and the most complex and diverse international circumstances, stated the Cuban head of state, stressing that history has taught us that in the midst of the challenges we face, cooperation and solidarity are fundamental pillars of our relationship.

For her part, Matvienko, speaking on behalf of Russia, stressed that despite the geographical distance, both nations have always been close.

She affirmed that Cuba and Russia share principles of equality and respect for sovereignty and historical truth, emphasizing sectors where they collaborate in an outstanding manner, such as energy, metallurgy, agriculture, science, transportation and education.

According to the report of the Presidency, Matvienko called Cuba "the island of freedom" and assured that the fire of friendship between the two nations will never be extinguished.

Diaz-Canel arrived in Russia on Sunday at the head of a Cuban delegation, which also included Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla; Emilio Lozada Garcia, member of the Central Committee of the PCC and head of its International Relations Department, and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga.