Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Belarus will always be true friend of Cuba

MINSK, 23 October (BelTA) – Belarus will always be a reliable and true friend for Cuba, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the official talks with Cuban President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez on 23 October, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus will always be your reliable and faithful friend and all our agreements will be honored,” the Belarusian leader said.

“Dear mister President, dear Miguel. I am happy to welcome you and your colleagues in Belarus. This is your first visit to Belarus in the capacity of the president. You were here not so long ago [in May 2016 in the capacity of First Vice President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba] and I had an honor and opportunity to meet you,” the Belarusian leader said welcoming his Cuban counterpart.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that he has been closely following Cuba’s heroic history for the past 25 years. “I was very familiar with Fidel Castro. I cherish good memories of meetings and talks with him. I often say that he is an example to many other country leaders. That was an outstanding personality. I am very familiar with Raul [Castro], I know you well, too,” the head of state said.

The president emphasized that Belarus is closely watching Cuba as it is carrying out dramatic reforms of the economy and political system. “We really hope and want that the revolutionary, unwavering and courageous Cuba will always be successful and that Cubans will be wealthy people,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Belarus-Cuba relations are based on a solid foundation. “We are lucky because we do not have to invent anything. We just need to build on what we have and to keep fulfilling our agreements. I think we need to have a look at our roadmap and the plan of action. If some points are no longer relevant, we will drop them and include new objectives,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader noted that the economies of the two countries do not compete with each other. Quite the opposite, the products of each other are in demand in the two states. “We need to have an earnest discussion of these matters, map out new objectives and move forward,” Aleksandr Lukashenko concluded.

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