"The purpose of the visit is, along with an exchange of views on international problems, to discuss ways, so to speak, to 'push' towards acceleration of the development of trade and economic relations," Russia's Foreign Minister said.
"Following the well-known changes which have taken place in our relations, including the termination, for objective reasons, of the implementation of the 'oil for sugar' traditional scheme, it is necessary for us to seek new forms of cooperation, including establishment of joint ventures and joint production units, development of the natural resources, and other projects linked with industrial investment," Mr. Lavrov went on to say.
"We believe that in Cuba there are good possibilities for our companies, which, after the cessation of state monopoly on foreign trade and foreign economic relations, are already beginning to look at projects in Central America, in the Caribbean, and in Latin America," the Minister added.
He noted that for historical reasons relations between Russia and Cuba "already in the newest history figure among the most firmly established and having vast experience and knowledge of each other."
"For instance, many Cubans underwent training in our country and still like it very much, just as Russia's inhabitants like Cubans," the head of Russian diplomacy pointed out. "It is profound mutual attraction based on the decades of friendship. From this standpoint our relations are of particular importance to us."
