http://www.granma.cu/ingles/news-i/12jul-raul-putin.html
Havana. July 12, 2012
An intensive and very useful
working visit
• President Raúl Castro, describing his activities in
the Russian Federation
MOSCOW.—"This has been an intensive and very useful working visit," confirmed
President Raúl Castro Ruz, during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir
Putin at the end of a working visit to this country.
Raúl with President Vladimir Putin,
who conveyed his greetings to Fidel.
The Cuban President also met with
Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev.
Raúl places a wreath at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier.
Welcoming Raúl at the Novo Ogoriovo Presidential House in the capital,
President Putin recalled that the two countries recently celebrated 110 years
of diplomatic relations, in which they have both experienced different
circumstances.
"Cuba is not just an ally, but also a good friend," the Russian leader
emphasized.
"Our relations today are more pragmatic, but we are going to put to good use
everything positive that we have accumulated through now," he stated, while
expressing his desire to discuss all the areas and direction of existing
cooperation.
Finally, he asked the Cuban President to convey greetings to Fidel Castro, "a
great friend," on his behalf.
Raúl affirmed his satisfaction and pride at once again being in Russia.
"For various reasons, we are living in a highly complex world and it is only
right that, in the light of new situations, we review issues covered in the
2009 visit," Raúl commented.
Previous to his meeting with the Russian President, the Cuban leader met with
Dmitri Medvedev, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, with whom he
discussed different aspects of Russian-Cuban cooperation and international and
bilateral issues. "I believe that in recent years we have succeeded in further
strengthening our relations," he affirmed.
He also commented on the impact of the international economic and financial
situation and stressed the importance of using existing potential in the two
countries to further promote economic ties.
In the morning of July 11, President Raúl Castro met with Army General Nikolai
Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council.
HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE
Also in the morning of July 11, Raúl went to Red Square – one of Russia’s most
emblematic sites – to honor those who died in the Great Patriotic War (World
War II), placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in a simple but
solemn ceremony.
Shortly afterward, Raúl and his accompanying delegation moved on to the Lenin
Mausoleum. In solemn silence, another wreath was placed at its entrance, before
a tour of the interior and a respectful halt in the salon where the great
thinker and revolutionary leader Vladimir Ilich Lenin is laid to rest.
The Cuban leader also visited the wall containing the tombs of different
Russian heroes and figures, to honor their memory.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
