OREANDA-NEWS. April 2, 2008. President Vladimir Putin sent a letter to Chairman of the State Council and Council of Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro in connection with the latest meeting of the Russian-Cuban Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic and Science and Technology Cooperation taking place in Havana.

The letter reads, in particular:

“I am sure that the sincere friendship, solidarity and mutual sympathy that have traditionally bound the Russian and Cuban peoples have withstood all the tests of time, gone through a difficult period of adaptation to a new international situation, and received a substantial new impetus over these last years.

I am pleased to see that the political dialogue between Moscow and Havana has become more trusting, that our trade and economic ties are growing rapidly and that we are building up our cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

At the same time, I am sure that we have not yet made full use of all the opportunities at our disposal. We should be more active in encouraging cooperation in high-technology and innovative sectors such as biotechnology and the medical and pharmaceuticals industries, areas in which your country has well known achievements. It would be good in this respect to carry out bilateral investment projects and establish joint ventures. The Russian-Cuban Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic and Science and Technology Cooperation has an important role to play in this process and its regular meetings should focus above all on identifying and implementing promising new projects and expanding the range of our relations.  

I pass on to you the best wishes of President-elect of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, who is also interested in developing cooperation between our two countries in a spirit of continuation and on a mutually beneficial basis”.