Virgil
01-31-2009, 03:40 PM
http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-mainmenu-26/europe-mainmenu-35/742
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Cuban President Raul Castro began an eight-day visit in Russia on January 29, when he met informally with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at a hunting lodge in Zavidovo, about 90 miles north of Moscow. More formal talks were held in the Kremlin the next day, where the two leaders signed a partnership pact between the two nations. It was the first visit by a Cuban leader to Russia since the end of the Cold War.
At the beginning of one meeting with Medvedev, Castro recalled the longtime alliance between Cuba and Russia and Russia's predecessor, the Soviet Union. The BBC reported that Castro said he wanted to revive strong ties between the two nations, which have weakened since the end of the Cold War. Relations between the Eurasian giant and the small island nation have improved recently — Russia was the first country to send humanitarian aid to Cuba following two hurricanes last year, and the two nations signed major trade agreements shortly before Medvedev visited Cuba last November.
"We are old friends, we have known each other in good (times) and bad, the ones when you really get to know friends best," said Castro, the younger brother of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, who gave up his public duties last February owing to poor health. "This is an historic moment, an important moment in relations between Russia and Cuba."
Reuters news service reported that Medvedev, who leads a nation that ostensibly has given up communism, congratulated Cuba on the 50th anniversary of its communist revolution and sent his best wishes to Raul's brother, Fidel, who led that revolution and seized hold of power on January 1, 1959.
"Your visit to our country opens a new page in the history of Russia-Cuba relations and will mean their elevation to the level of strategic partnership," said Medvedev.
The agreements signed by the two leaders provide for Russia to give Cuba at least 25,000 tons of grain, and issue a $20 million loan to finance Cuba's purchase of Russian construction, energy, and agricultural equipment, as well as civilian aircraft.
Following the meetings, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin told reporters that the Russian power company Inter RAO signed an agreement to build a power station in Cuba, and several Russian vehicle manufacturers are interested in building plants in Cuba. He explained to reporters, "Solid foundations have been laid for the development of Russian-Cuban relations in the economic area."
But when a reporter asked Sechin about the possibility of military cooperation between Russia and Cuba, the Russian official responded tersely: "Why are you interested in that?"
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Cuban President Raul Castro began an eight-day visit in Russia on January 29, when he met informally with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at a hunting lodge in Zavidovo, about 90 miles north of Moscow. More formal talks were held in the Kremlin the next day, where the two leaders signed a partnership pact between the two nations. It was the first visit by a Cuban leader to Russia since the end of the Cold War.
At the beginning of one meeting with Medvedev, Castro recalled the longtime alliance between Cuba and Russia and Russia's predecessor, the Soviet Union. The BBC reported that Castro said he wanted to revive strong ties between the two nations, which have weakened since the end of the Cold War. Relations between the Eurasian giant and the small island nation have improved recently — Russia was the first country to send humanitarian aid to Cuba following two hurricanes last year, and the two nations signed major trade agreements shortly before Medvedev visited Cuba last November.
"We are old friends, we have known each other in good (times) and bad, the ones when you really get to know friends best," said Castro, the younger brother of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, who gave up his public duties last February owing to poor health. "This is an historic moment, an important moment in relations between Russia and Cuba."
Reuters news service reported that Medvedev, who leads a nation that ostensibly has given up communism, congratulated Cuba on the 50th anniversary of its communist revolution and sent his best wishes to Raul's brother, Fidel, who led that revolution and seized hold of power on January 1, 1959.
"Your visit to our country opens a new page in the history of Russia-Cuba relations and will mean their elevation to the level of strategic partnership," said Medvedev.
The agreements signed by the two leaders provide for Russia to give Cuba at least 25,000 tons of grain, and issue a $20 million loan to finance Cuba's purchase of Russian construction, energy, and agricultural equipment, as well as civilian aircraft.
Following the meetings, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin told reporters that the Russian power company Inter RAO signed an agreement to build a power station in Cuba, and several Russian vehicle manufacturers are interested in building plants in Cuba. He explained to reporters, "Solid foundations have been laid for the development of Russian-Cuban relations in the economic area."
But when a reporter asked Sechin about the possibility of military cooperation between Russia and Cuba, the Russian official responded tersely: "Why are you interested in that?"
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