Cuba's participation in this Council has special significance, as it marks the 5th anniversary of receiving Observer status in the Eurasian Economic Union.

Speech by President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez at the Supreme Council of the Eurasian Economic Union.

His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation;
His Excellency Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus and Pro Tempore Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union bodies;
Your Excellencies, Heads of Delegations of the countries participating in this Eurasian Supreme Economic Council:

From Cuba, we extend fraternal greetings to the people and Government of Russia, hosts of this session of the Council taking place in St. Petersburg, a city for which we feel special affection and with which we have expanded ties in various areas, with the valuable contribution of its governor, Alexander Beglov, whom we had the honor of receiving recently in Havana.

We extend special recognition to the Pro Tempore Presidency of Belarus for its positive and tangible work at the head of the Union's bodies during the current year.

Cuba's participation in this Council has special significance, as it marks the 5th anniversary of our receiving Observer State status in the Eurasian Economic Union, a young but thriving group since its creation, made up of nations with which we share historical and fraternal ties, and with whom we share principles, values, and visions in the construction of a more just and equitable international order.

Five years ago, we not only formalized a bond; we also opened a strategic chapter of dialogue and rapprochement, for a future of greater exchange, integration, and cooperation.

Faced with a complex global scenario, marked by unilateralism, disregard for multilateral institutions, and the violation of the UN Charter and the principles of international law, where unilateral coercive measures that seek to stifle economies and punish entire peoples persist, the alliance between our nations stands as a bastion of multilateralism, consultation, cooperation, and dialogue.

Cuba strongly rejects these illegal practices and deeply appreciates the support given once again by all the countries of the Union to the resolution demanding an end to the intensified economic, commercial, and financial blockade of our country by the United States, which was approved by an overwhelming majority in the United Nations General Assembly, despite unprecedented pressure from the current U.S. administration.

Dear colleagues:

Added to the enormous challenges facing humanity are the new US National Security Strategy and the so-called "Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine." In a stark manner, the U.S. government is attempting to impose the idea that the Western Hemisphere is its exclusive zone of influence and the aberrant concept of "peace through strength."

All of this violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, as well as the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

Cuba has denounced and alerted the international community to the dangerous and threatening military escalation in the Caribbean by the U.S. government. This air and naval deployment in the region and the threat of military aggression against Venezuela reveal the imperial, hegemonic, and criminal purpose of the administration currently occupying the White House.

We hereby reaffirm our solidarity with the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and our strongest rejection of the act of piracy and maritime terrorism against a ship off the Venezuelan coast by the U.S. government.

Dear Heads of Delegations:

These five years as observers in the Eurasian Economic Union allow us to make a comprehensive assessment of what Cuba's relationship with the Union has meant and the progress achieved so far, in the hope of achieving broader and more effective collaboration.

We reaffirm our shared positions in defense of a new global trade and financial order that is more just, equitable, and favorable to the development of our countries, and especially to cooperation and exchange among the nations of the South.

Likewise, we appreciate the opportunities and potential of the medium- and long-term objectives of the Eurasian Economic Union, set out in the "Eurasian Economic Way" declaration, which gives a central role to science and innovation, elements that are also prioritized by Cuba in its National Economic and Social Development Plan.

The successful holding at the end of November of the 4th session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Government of the Republic of Cuba, within the framework of the Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2025, provided an opportunity to objectively examine the main results and, above all, to project common objectives.

We noted the high degree of compliance with the actions agreed upon in the Joint Collaboration Plan for the period 2021-2025 and made progress in designing the next one, which will cover the period 2026-2030, including the Roadmap for its implementation. We have identified potential for concrete and mutually beneficial projects in sectors such as biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry, tourism, industry, and transportation.

This momentum coincides with a process of internal transformations that our government is carrying out to correct distortions and revitalize the economy. Among its main lines of action, it seeks to create a more attractive, secure, and dynamic environment for foreign investment. In this context, we hope that the capital of the countries of this Union will find in Cuba a reliable partner and fertile ground for business, for mutual benefit.

Excellencies:

In these five years of joint work, we have made progress in assessing real possibilities and specific areas of complementarity between our economies, highlighting:

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, whose capabilities -developed by Cuba- offer possibilities for the development of strategic alliances, combined with financing, technologies, and the Eurasian market.

The creation of a Logistics Hub and the opportunities offered by the Mariel Special Development Zone, based on Cuba's geographical position and its integration into regional mechanisms, provides an opportunity for trade between the Union and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The development of tourism, including health and corporate tourism.

Cultural, academic, and sports exchanges. In the latter, we offer Cuba's experience in sports services, its specialized medical capabilities in this sector, and its facilities for organizing events and training bases.

The direct relationship between the business circles of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union and their Cuban counterparts, to expand trade, attract investment, and diversify areas of collaboration, based on the identification of common interests. In this regard, we appreciate the invitation to participate in the Economic Forum to be held in Kazakhstan next year.

Mr. President:

Cuba has closely followed the significant results achieved by the Union in all areas in recent years. These confirm that it is a successful and benchmark project, as a process of integration and economic and social development in the Eurasian region. Its progress is reflected in economic growth, technological development, and the strengthening of its own commercial and logistical links, in a context of major transformations in global economic relations.

As an Observer State, Cuba reiterates its willingness to participate more actively in the Union's mechanisms and aspires to strengthen this category of membership to maximize the contributions of countries to the development of the Eurasian Economic Union.

On behalf of the Cuban people and government, I extend my sincere wishes for success to Kazakhstan's upcoming Pro Tempore Presidency, and especially to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes for health, peace, and prosperity for your nations in the new year, in which we hope that ties will continue to grow and contribute to the benefit of our countries.

Thank you very much.

Taken from Granma