Mr. Ambassador, how did you prepare for the agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries?
Gerardo Penalver Portal: 8 may 1960 was an important milestone in Russian-Cuban relations. On this day in Havana and Moscow through the Joint Declaration announced the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a key part of which was the Russian Soviet Federative socialist Republic. Although Russian-Cuban relations in various spheres of human activity have a long history, and even in may 1902 Russian Czar Nicholas II sent a message welcoming the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, Russian interests in the largest chain of the Antilles for many years was represented by a Consul.
Only in 1942 with the entry of both countries during the Second world war as members of the anti-fascist bloc, between Cuba and the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations. They remained until April 2, 1952, when it was torn dictator Fulgencio Batista. With the triumph of the Cuban Revolution on 1 January 1959 were created the conditions for the restoration of diplomatic relations between our countries. The first step in this process was the recognition of 10 January by the Soviet government, the Cuban revolutionary provisional government.
this was followed by the first major purchase of Cuban sugar in the amount of 330 thousand tons on 5 October of the same year, and a visit to Havana from 4 to 13 February 1960, the Soviet government delegation headed by Deputy head of the Soviet Minister Anastas Mikoyan who signed with the Commander in chief Fidel Castro, a number of agreements on trade and financial cooperation, and Cuba was given significant credit for its development. At that time there was also agreement on the restoration of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level.
How it was extremely difficult time for the Island of freedom?
Gerardo Penalver Portal: the Event, which we celebrate this year the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations really happened in difficult times for Cuba. The young revolutionary government was struggling for its consolidation in the face of constant aggression and the growing threats from the us administration and its allies within the country and abroad. So, in June 1960, the D.C. government has blocked the purchase of Cuban sugar with the intent to provoke the collapse of our economy.
In solidarity Moscow quickly made the decision to buy all the sugar, which gave the United States. Followed three decades of close relations in almost all fields of human activity between Kuboand Soviet Russia. Thousands of University-level technicians and skilled workers was prepared in Russia and in Cuba with the support of Russian specialists.
Diplomatic, political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries based on mutual respect, solidarity and deep friendship, recently experiencing a dynamic revival and strengthening. Important milestones of this new stage were the visits of the President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Bermudez Canela to Russia and President Vladimir Putin, former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Minister of foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Cuba.
How far is Comandante Fidel Castro valued the relationship with Moscow?
Gerardo Penalver Portal: the Historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro during a visit to the USSR in 1963, said in his speech that foreign guests and visitors of the USSR is a fortress. He noted that the cohesion of the Soviet people and the perfect organization of the state and the economy were all filled with admiration, and stressed that all of these qualities make the society stronger.
According to him, it was able to solve the most complex tasks and perform the most difficult duties, because of the spirit of authority, which was observed in every Soviet man and woman. Fidel appreciated the relations with your country and have immense admiration and love for your people. For its revolutionary merits Fidel was awarded a Gold medal and the Order of Lenin and the title Hero of the Soviet Union, it was an honor, rarely awarded to a foreigner. In addition, he was awarded the title of Honorary doctor of Moscow state Lomonosov University for contribution to science.
Soviet-Cuban friendship was headed by the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who was the hero in Cuba. How effective and useful the activities of the Cuban-Russian friendship societies and solidarity groups?
Gerardo Penalver Portal: In 1961, Cuban leader Fidel Castro was awarded the Yuri Gagarin’s First national order of Playa Giron established the revolutionary government of Cuba honoring all people who have committed outstanding acts in the name of peace, science and progress of mankind. Gagarin together with Ernesto Che Guevara was the founder of the society of friendship and solidarity between the two countries, which contributed to the strengthening of bilateral relations.
In the various battles of our people and government we have always enjoyed the support of group solidarity. So, in our struggle for the return of the “five Cuban heroes” unjustly prisoners in us prisons, was a very important action undertaken by the groups of friendship with Cuba group “Venceremos”, the Committee for the return of the “Cuban five,” at present the Committee against the blockade of Cuba imposed by the US, and many others. Russia and Cuba have continued to strengthen their economic cooperation and strategic partnership. Both sides systematically and successfully working to strengthen cooperation in strategic sectors for socio-economic development of Cuba, despite the difficult international situation, both politically and economically.
