Nova Scotia Cuba Association

 

Contributing to forming a new world order that is more just, inclusive and equitable calls for action

Speech delivered 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 Moscow, Russian Federation, on May 8, 2024, "66th Year of the Revolution"

Author: Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez | informacion@granmai.cu

May 9, 2024 09:05:53-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 and dear Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, our most sincere congratulations on your election as President with the highest popular support;
Your Excellencies, Heads of Delegations of the member countries of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council;
Distinguished guests:
It is always an honor to participate in these meetings of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.  In addition to that honor, today we are delighted to do so in person in the beloved city of Moscow on a memorable day, on the 64th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the then Soviet Union and the young Revolution of the Republic of Cuba, a bond of friendship and cooperation to which the Cuban people owe so much of their social and human development.
We are also encouraged to take part in the celebration -in the context of the expanded Supreme Council- of the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and on the eve of the 79th anniversary of Victory Day.
As we have said on other occasions, the Cuban Government attaches great importance to the economic-commercial, financial and cooperation relations with the Eurasian Economic Union and its member states, taking as a premise the historical relations that unite us with that group of countries.
This is an opportunity to congratulate Armenia on the chairmanship of the Union in 2024 and Mr. Bakytzhan Sagintaev on his appointment as Chairman of the College of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Our best wishes for success in the exercise of these important functions.
Likewise, I would like to add my appreciation to the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Government of the Russian Federation for the initiative of organizing this Summit in such complex and decisive circumstances as the world is experiencing right now.
The agitated situation in various parts of the planet is of international concern and summons us to action to contribute to the process of creating a new world order that is more just, inclusive and equitable.
Cuba appreciates that the ten years that have passed with significant results in all areas of interaction show that the UEAA is a successful, attractive and sustainable integration project.
An irrefutable proof are the macroeconomic indicators, such as: an aggregate GDP of 2.4 trillion dollars; the almost doubling of mutual trade among the member states and the 60% increase in foreign trade turnover, just to mention a few significant data.
Since its foundation, and especially in recent years, the Union has been very clear about its projection in terms of development priorities, which can be seen in the adoption of the Declaration called the Eurasian Economic Track and the adoption of a road map with the mechanisms and activities, as well as the deadlines and forms for its implementation.
Dear colleagues:
Cuba, from its condition of Observer State, reiterates its willingness and interest to have a greater participation in the mechanisms of the Union to advance towards a deeper integration.
I sincerely believe that we all need better coordination to promote joint projects in areas of mutual interest.
In this regard, it is essential to promote a more systematic and practical relationship between the ministries and sectoral agencies of the Commission and the Member and Observer States.
This will not be difficult.  Cuba's National Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030 has a broad coincidence with the medium- and long-term priorities set out in the UEAA Declaration, with emphasis on the role of science and innovation.
The holding of the Third Joint Commission between Cuba and the Eurasian Economic Commission in Havana in January of this year represented a milestone in relations, but it also confirmed the need to turn around actions to diversify ties between our countries and advance qualitatively and quantitatively to higher levels in trade exchanges, cooperation and intra- and extra-regional foreign investment.
As you know, Cuba attaches great importance to government management based on science and innovation, and even though this is a process that requires a great deal of learning, I can assure you that we are making progress in its implementation.  Undoubtedly, the path of knowledge is key to the development of nations and, for the same reason, it is one of the lines of work in which we want to deepen our relations with the Union.
We want to bet on the strengthening of those links, emphasizing the sphere of industry, tourism, technical and accreditation regulations, as well as sanitary, phytosanitary and veterinary measures, essential aspects to be able to advance in the introduction of new Cuban products and maintain the registration of those already existing in the Eurasian market.
We place at the disposal of the Member States the experiences and achievements we have obtained in the field of the medical, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, for future collaboration in this field.
We can also join efforts and continue advancing in the sanitary and regulatory sphere for the circulation of Cuban medicines and medical devices in the countries of the Union.
We appreciate the possibilities of strengthening interaction in the field of industry, based on the invitation received for Cuban companies to participate in the creation of instruments for the development of innovative, high-tech and innovative productions, such as the eighteen digital platforms conceived in the Union.
We have insisted on promoting exchanges between the structures of the Eurasian Economic Commission, the businessmen of the countries of the Union and Cuba, in order to establish direct links to identify interests in trade, cooperation and direct foreign investment.
It is worth mentioning the exchange resumed at the business level between the Chamber of Commerce of Cuba and the Business Council of the Commission, which made it possible to define a joint work mechanism to promote the take-off of inter-business relations.
Dear participants in this Summit:
I wish to reaffirm once again Cuba's interest in and commitment to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union and its member states.
We are a small country, subjected for six decades to an economic, commercial and financial blockade, intensified in recent years with measures especially designed to prevent the success of development plans and to make the daily life of the people more difficult.
The unjust inclusion of Cuba in the spurious U.S. list of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism has had a disastrous effect on the financial operations of the country, causing a very tense situation in the economy, which the Cuban people are facing with admirable courage and creativity.
Under such conditions, the historic understanding, friendship and support of countries such as those that make up the UEAA is of inestimable value, for which Cuba is deeply grateful.
I extend to all the feelings of gratitude of the Cuban people and government for the vote in favor of the resolution against the blockade which is overwhelmingly adopted every year by the United Nations General Assembly, and which we will continue to present as long as this illegal, unjust and genocidal policy is maintained.
Those who blockade us will never be able to understand, and therefore will never be able to prevent, the excellent relations between our countries and the shared vision that a better world is possible, and we can do it together, based on principles of cooperation, mutual respect and shared welfare, all values that distinguish this Union.
Dear friends:
On the eve of the tenth anniversary of this formidable partnership, we reiterate our congratulations, with the absolute confidence that the results of this decade and the decisions emanating from today's meeting will serve as a basis for continuing to promote and strengthen the sustainable economic development of all the nations involved, in the interests of greater prosperity for our peoples.  In this endeavor, you can always count on Cuba.
Thank you very much (Applause).