Speech by Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, at the Meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, in St. Petersburg, Russia, from the Palace of the Revolution, on December 26, 2024, "66th Year of the Revolution".
(Shorthand Versions - Presidency of the Republic)
Your Excellency Mr. Nikol Pashinian, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and President of the Eurasian Economic Union;
Your Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation;
Your Excellencies, Heads of Delegations of the member countries of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council;
Distinguished guests,
From Cuba I send my warmest greetings to the Russian people and Government, who are hosting this session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in the beautiful, historic and very close in feeling city of St. Petersburg, whose governor, Alexander Dmitrievich Beglov, we had the pleasure of receiving recently in Havana.
I am grateful for the invitation to participate in this event, which has become a daily occurrence and offers us the opportunity to greet all the distinguished representatives of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.
I take this opportunity to convey a special recognition to His Excellency Mr. Nikol Pashinián, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, for his country's management of the pro tempore presidency of the Union's bodies during 2024.
Dear Heads of State,
In the year of the tenth anniversary of this important mechanism of economic integration I wish to reaffirm Cuba's commitment to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union and its member states.
As an Observer State, we ratify our will to continue advancing towards a greater insertion in the Union's mechanisms, in the interest of a deeper integration.
The participation of a large Cuban delegation in the Third Eurasian Economic Forum, which took place in Yerevan, capital of the Republic of Armenia, from September 30 to October 1, confirmed this.
The Business Dialogue panel dedicated to the relations between the Eurasian Union and Cuba was very important because it became a scenario to expand and deepen the business exchanges for the sake of development and the implementation of mutually beneficial projects.
Cuba attaches great importance to strengthening relations with the member states of the Union, within the broad framework of possibilities and mechanisms it offers. In particular, the organization of the Fourth Joint Commission between Cuba and the Eurasian Economic Commission, to be held in Moscow in the first quarter of 2025, will contribute to the strengthening and diversification of economic, commercial, financial and cooperation relations with the countries of the Union, with a more proactive approach and aimed at achieving concrete results for all. The adoption of the Joint Partnership Plan for the period 2025-2030 will make a decisive contribution to this.
Excellencies,
In the context of the current complex international situation and the problems our country is going through as a result of the recent affectations caused by natural phenomena, which were added to energy and fuel supply difficulties, resulting from the unprecedented tightening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade by the Government of the United States, Cuba continues to bet on cooperation, solidarity and integration.
We are convinced that this is the only effective way in the search for viable solutions to the serious problems facing the world, from a perspective that promotes unity and mutual respect, within diversity and in favor of the development and well-being of peoples and nations.
Be assured that you can count on Cuba's modest and committed support as an Observer State.
We are an optimistic, resilient and creative people, and we are certain that 2025 will be fruitful, despite the challenges, for the realization of common objectives and goals for sustainable development.
Before concluding, I convey our wishes of success to the next pro tempore presidency to be held by Belarus, and especially to President and friend Alexander Lukashenko.
On behalf of the Cuban people and Government, I extend the warmest congratulations and best wishes of health and prosperity to your brother nations and peoples in the new year.
Thank you very much.
