Russia, Cuba stepping up projects in energy sector, high technologies

HAVANA, May 7. /TASS/. Russia and Cuba are stepping up projects in the energy sector and high technologies, the Speaker of Russia's State Duma, Sergei Naryshkin said on Wednesday at a gala meeting timed for the 55th anniversary since restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The meeting was hosted by the Cuban Foreign Ministry. "It’s no exaggeration to say we have really momentous plans ahead of us and we’ll be able to move forward significantly with large-scale projects in the energy sector, space exploration, bio-pharmaceutics, healthcare, commercial aviation, and metallurgy," Naryshkin said. "Moscow and Havana stood together as genuine friends and strategic partners in the most difficult times," he said. Naryshkin voiced the confidence over the benefit of the expanding Russian-Cuban inter-parliamentary ties for the interests and aspirations of both peoples. He said that the Russian delegation had been glad to sing a stanza from the song ‘Cuba My Love’ at a meeting with deputies of the Cuban National Assembly. The song was very popular in the Soviet Union in the 1960’s and 1970’s. It was composed by Alexandra Pakhmutova to the lyrics by Nikolari Dobronravov in 1962 and timed for Fidel Castro's trip to the Siberian city of Bratsk. "Looking back at the 55 years we’re also eyeing with optimism our common future," Naryshkin said. He wished peace and prosperity to both Russia and Cuba. Read more