Source: MIL-OSI Translation:
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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The 23rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Cuban Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation (IPC) took place in Saint Petersburg. It was chaired by the co-chairmen of the IPC – Deputy Chairman of the Government of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of the Republic of Cuba Oscar Perez Oliva Fraga.
The parties discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, industry, agriculture, tourism, education, sports, and others. In addition, Dmitry Chernyshenko, together with Óscar Pérez-Olivo Fraga and the governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov, evaluated a photo exhibition dedicated to the history of partnership and friendship between Russia and Cuba. It opened at the Presidential Library as part of the intergovernmental commission meeting.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister noted that Cuba remains a reliable partner and ally of Russia in the Latin American region and in the world. Relations between the two countries are based on deep historical experience, mutual respect and trust, and close friendly ties. In 2026, it will be 100 years since the birth of the leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro. Events in memory of this outstanding statesman and political figure will be held in Russia and Cuba. Dmitry Chernyshenko also noted the trusting and constructive bilateral political dialogue between the countries at all levels, including the highest.
“Following the agreements of our presidents Vladimir Putin and Miguel Díaz-Canel, we continue to develop cooperation in all directions. Amid the crisis in Cuba’s energy sector, Russia continues to provide support and humanitarian aid. Today, a long-awaited oil tanker has arrived at the Cuban port of Matanzas. It is named after the outstanding Soviet and Russian jurist Anatoly Kolodkin. We hope that this will ensure the operation of the country’s critically important social infrastructure.””Especially the systems of healthcare, hospitals, schools, facilities that ensure the vital activity of the country and, of course, the homes of the island’s residents,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
According to him, among the results of MPK’s activities for 2025, there is noted a 20% growth in imports from Cuba, progress in the implementation of a joint project to increase oil recovery at the Boca de Jaruco field, the launch of supply of Russian automobiles “GAZ”, “UAZ”, “KAMAZ”, “Lada” with exports of more than 230 units of machinery and technical products to the island over the past two years, the supply of about 6 tons of substances for the production of medicines. In addition, within the framework of bilateral cooperation, shipments of automobile kits for the assembly line of “UAZ” cars launched in 2025 at the Cuban enterprise EISA are being carried out.
“In 2026, it is planned to resume the assembly of GAZ cars and open a trading house for sales in Cuba. In the near future, we plan to move to the practical implementation of a project to organize a taxi fleet in Havana in cooperation with the Moscow government. For these purposes, 50 Moskvich-brand cars will be transferred by the Russian side,” added Dmitry Chernyshenko.
In the agro-industrial sector, the Government is exploring the possibility of implementing projects for the production of flour and compound feed, while about 90 Russian enterprises are already interested in supplying meat, dairy, and fish products to Cuba.
The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasized that an integral part of Russian-Cuban relations are tourism, cultural exchanges, the implementation of educational programs, and sporting events. Last year, the geography of direct air routes was expanded. In the cultural and sports direction of bilateral relations, with the participation of the film concern “Mosfilm,” work is underway on several joint film projects, contacts between sports federations are maintained. Cuban athletes regularly participate in and win medals at sports competitions held in Russia.
“In the field of education, we allocate about 100 quotas for the training of Cubans in Russian universities. In September 2025, classes started at the branch of the Southern Federal University in Havana, which was opened as part of the previous commission meeting. Three years ago in Havana, the first center for the study of the Russian language began operating. Currently, there are already eight such centers functioning in Cuba, and more than 1300 people have been trained,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga thanked the authorities of Russia and Saint Petersburg for hosting the meeting within the framework of the Intergovernmental Russian-Cuban Commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation. He emphasized that the strategic alliance between Russia and Cuba must continue to strengthen. “We thank the organizations of Russia for the support and proposals on cooperation. In 2025, we celebrated the 65th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries. We continue to strengthen our cooperation,” noted Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga.
As of today, Russian “Mir” cards are accepted in Cuba, correspondence has been established between Russian and Cuban banks, there are many investment and pilot projects for the delivery of food products to Cuba, and cooperation in the financial sector continues.
“We would like to confirm the high priority of projects, especially in the context of the current economic situation, in which the participation of Russian entrepreneurs should undoubtedly be noted. We are creating a privileged space for the continuation of economic relations and their transformation,” said Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga.
Following the meeting, a number of bilateral documents and the concluding act of the 23rd session of the ILC were signed.
From the Russian side, deputies of the heads of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Digital Development and others also participated in the event. From the Cuban side – Minister of Health José Ángel Portal Miranda, Minister-President of the Central Bank of the Republic of Cuba Juan Lilia Delgado Portal, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Carlos Luis Jorge Mendez, Deputy Minister of Transport Marcus Antonio Bermudez de la Torre and others.
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