His Excellency Mr. Nikol Pashinian, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and President of the Eurasian Economic Union;
Your Excellency, Mr. Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus;
Your Excellencies, Heads of Delegations of the member countries of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council;
Distinguished guests:
First of all, allow me to extend warm greetings to the Belarusian people and Government, who are hosting this session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, and to thank you for the invitation extended to us to participate in this important event.
As we have expressed on more than one occasion in these meetings, the Government of Cuba attaches great importance to the economic, commercial, financial and cooperation relations with the Eurasian Economic Union and its member states, which are based on the historical ties between the Cuban people and the peoples of this region.
Just a few days ago, in May, we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Union Treaty. The road we have traveled has not been free of obstacles, although satisfactory results can be seen that result in a greater development of their respective economies and the well-being of their peoples.
The Eurasian Economic Union has become a platform for close economic interaction among its member states and, at the same time, a promising player in the international arena.
Dear colleagues:
We must achieve greater coordination to enable us to develop novel and attractive joint projects in areas of common interest. In this context, a more systematic and effective relationship between the sectoral ministries and agencies of the Commission and the Member and Observer States is essential.
In the area of agriculture and agribusiness, there are opportunities that we have been working on with Belarusian partners for years. The businesses that we manage to develop will also contribute to the export of Cuban products to the EAEU member countries.
In addition to a greater linkage in these areas, it would allow us to promote foreign investment for the development of animal production, such as chicken, cattle, pork, as well as citrus, fruit, sugar, cocoa and coffee. To promote the development of grains and seeds, and the joint creation of veterinary vaccines, is another possibility, of the many that could arise and spread as a profitable experience.
Likewise, we must promote exchanges between the structures of the Eurasian Economic Commission, the businessmen of the countries of the Union and Cuba, with the aim of establishing direct links for the promotion of trade and cooperation, as well as foreign investment.
On May 21, a Cuba-Eurasian Economic Union Business Forum was held in Havana, organized by the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba, which was attended by businessmen from the sectors of agriculture, health, medical services, tourism, culture, sports, chemical and iron and steel industry, transport and foreign trade.
This space was an opportunity to get to know each other better, to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of the Eurasian Union and to promote the possibilities of cooperation and investment between Cuban businessmen and their peers from the member countries of the Union. Cuba is totally open to the development of initiatives that contribute to these purposes.
Dear colleagues:
Once again I would like to ratify the commitment of my country, the only one in the Latin American region to hold observer status in the EAEU, to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation, in which Cuba can not only contribute with its potential in terms of human capital, infrastructure, productive base, scientific and technical results in innovative fields, health and tourism, but also as a fully integrated State in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Our region has a very favorable framework for the development of its trade relations, which could contribute to the economic interests of the Union and its Member States. The trade benefits offered allow finished products from Cuba to be exported to Latin America and the Caribbean, with substantial savings in production processes, tariffs and transportation, at a time when these costs tend to increase more and more in the international market.
Before concluding, I would like to convey the gratitude of the Cuban government and people to all the member states of the Union for their sustained and clear support in our battle against the prolonged and reinforced U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, which represents the main obstacle to our development and affects the living conditions of all Cubans on a daily basis. The U.S. government should also remove our country from the list of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism, which they use as a pretext to maintain coercive measures against our people.
Dear colleagues, after celebrating the tenth anniversary of this vital multifaceted partnership, we reiterate our wishes for success in its future development, and we trust that we will continue to promote sustainable economic development in our countries, in the interest of greater prosperity for our peoples.
I assure you that Cuba will continue to resist and develop, always onward to victory.
Thank you very much.
