Statement by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, Manuel Marrero Cruz, Via Videoconferencing at the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council Meeting, 5 February 2021
Your Excellency Mister Askar Mamin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
Your Excellencies Heads of Government and heads of delegations,
I thank Kazakhstan, which currently holds the chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union, for the invitation to participate in this meeting. I am confident that I will have the chance to attend future meetings in person, which was not possible this time due to the international epidemiological situation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to acknowledge the Eurasian Economic Commission for their work in the organization of this meeting, in particular the work carried out by its Board Chairman, Mijail VladÃmirovich Miasnikovich.
This Intergovernmental Council meeting has a special significance for Cuba as it is the first time we participate as an Observer State in the Eurasian Economic Union. This framework affords an opportunity to expand the brotherly relations we have developed with the member States of the organization over the past 30 years.
This meeting is taking place in a complex international context. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a major systemic crisis, which is aggravated by trade wars and unilateral coercive measures that violate international law. Cuba has been faced with these challenges in the midst of an unprecedented hardening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US government.
I express my gratitude to the member States of the Union for their permanent support to the claim for the end of the economic blockade imposed by the United States against my country. CubaÂ’s recent inclusion in the arbitrary and unilateral list of State Sponsors of Terrorism published by the US State Department is one of the most recent examples of a hostile policy, which lacks legitimacy and is bound to fail. Cuba rejects in the strongest terms this fraudulent designation and appreciates the support given by the international community.
Your Excellencies,
The devastating effects of COVID-19 demonstrate that solidarity, multilateralism and cooperation are the most effective means to tackle common challenges. Our nation is committed to the advancement of the integration projects proposed by the Eurasian Economic Union and is ready to share with the member States its capacities in the battle against COVID-19, particularly with regards to medical cooperation, biotechnology and vaccine production.
Furthermore, we reaffirm our willingness to assist in the implementation of the Strategic Directions for Developing Eurasian Economic Integration until 2025, which are fully in line with our countryÂ’s 2030 Economic and Social Development Plan.
We welcome the possibility of taking part in the Eurasian initiatives focused on the energy, industrial, transport, tourism and financial sectors and the removal of trade barriers. We also note with interest the establishment of joint ventures and the promotion of the full digitization of productive sectors, the expansion of access to foreign markets, the cooperation with other regional initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, and the plan to interconnect the national commodity distribution systems of member States.
The appointment of our Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Julio GarmendÃa Peña, as our Permanent Representative to the Eurasian Economic Union, and his interaction with the Eurasian Economic Commission, will contribute to a more active engagement by Cuba in the projects undertaken by the Union.
The Republic of Cuba will honor its Observer status in the Eurasian Economic Union. We are committed to embracing your development and integration goals to the extent of our modest ability and through our sincere efforts. Together we will be capable of achieving the social and economic objectives of our countries, strengthening the cooperation between our nations and guaranteeing the well-being and prosperity of our peoples.
Thank you very much.
(CubaMINREX – EmbaCuba-Polonia)
