Cuba‘s Address to the supreme Eurasian Economic Council

His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation;

His Excellency mr. Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus and President pro tempore of the bodies of the Eurasian Economic Union;

Excellencies Heads of Delegations of the countries participating in this Supreme Eurasian Economic Council:

From Cuba, a fraternal greeting is extended to the people and Government of Russia, hosts of this session of the Council taking place in Saint petersburg, a city for which special affection is felt, and with which ties have been expanded in various areas, with the valuable contribution of its governor, Alexander Beglov, who was recently received in Havana.

Special recognition is extended to the Pro Tempore Presidency of Belarus, for its positive and tangible work at the head of the Bodies of the Union during this year.

cuba’s participation in this Council holds special meaning, as it marks the fifth anniversary of Observer State status being received in the Eurasian Economic Union; a young group, but thriving as its creation, comprised of nations to whom ancient and fraternal ties are shared, and with whom principles, values, and visions are shared in the construction of a more just and equitable international order.

five years ago, a bond was not only formalized, but a strategic chapter of dialog and rapprochement was opened, for a future of more exchange, integration and cooperation.

Faced with a complex global scenario,marked by unilateralism,ignorance of multilateral institutions,and transgression of the UN Charter and the principles of International Law; where unilateral coercive measures that seek to suffocate economies and punish entire peoples persist,the alliance between our nations stands as a bastion of multilateralism,concertation,cooperation and dialogue.

Cuba strongly rejects these illegal practices, and deeply thanks all the countries of the Union for the support given, once again, to the Resolution that demands the end of the intensified economic, commercial and financial blockade of the united states against our contry, approved by an overwhelming majority in the General Assembly of the United Nations, despite the unprecedented pressures exerted by the current United States government.

Dear Colleagues:

added to the enormous challenges that humanity faced was the new National Security Strategy of the United States and the so-called “Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.” The US 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 about the dangerous and threatening military escalation in the Caribbean by the United States Government.This air-naval deployment in the region and the threat of military aggression against Venezuela reveal the imperial, hegemonic and criminal purpose of the Administration that currently occupies the White House.

Solidarity with the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is hereby ratified, and the firmest rejection of the act of piracy and maritime terrorism against a ship off the Venezuelan coast, by the US Government, is expressed.

Dear Heads of Delegations:

This five-year period as observers in the Eurasian Economic Union allows for a comprehensive evaluation of what its relationship with the Union has represented.