The Federation Council Speaker and Special Envoy of the President of Cuba discussed the development of bilateral relations, including those between the parliaments.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko met with Special Envoy of the President of Cuba, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.
According to the Speaker, the meeting provided an opportunity to express solidarity with the courageous people of Cuba, who are firmly defending their sovereignty and independence. “We are monitoring the situation around Cuba with concern. The current visit is of special importance for us,” said Valentina Matvienko.
She underscored that Cuba is a major strategic partner and long-standing friend of Russia. “We strongly oppose the unlawful actions by the United States, which has no grounds for aggression against Cuba. Such attempts to change the government constitute gross and illegal actions, denounced by all sober-minded people. This is reaffirmed by another UN resolution condemning the blockade and sanctions against Cuba.”
“The global majority should support and help Cuba,” noted Valentina Matvienko. She reiterated that the Federation Council annually adopts a statement on the need to cease the economic, trade and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.
During the conversation, the Speaker conveyed her condolences regarding the deaths of 32 Cuban servicemen in Venezuela.
Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla emphasised that the Republic of Cuba will continue to stand up for international law and actions for the sake of peace, security and multilateral interaction.
Valentina Matvienko said that the parliamentarians are prepared to promote the entire spectrum of Russian-Cuban interaction.
The Speaker noted that this year marks the 100th birth anniversary of Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban Revolution. “We will mark this occasion appropriately, including by organising joint events,” Valentina Matvienko said.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs Andrei Shevchenko, Chair of the Committee on the Budget and Financial Markets Anatoly Artamonov, and First Deputy Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov.