Saturday, January 26, 2013

Putin Highlights Cuba's Role In Latin America

Havana. January 25, 2013

Putin highlights Cuba’s role in Latin America

MOSCOW, Jan 24.—Russian President Vladimir Putin today emphasized Cuba’s growing role in Latin American regional affairs and welcomed the country’s presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) for this year.

During the formal reception at the Kremlin of the Cuban ambassador to Russia, Emilio Lozada, Putin described the island as his country’s most long-standing partner and friend in the region.

He expressed his conviction that "strategic, economic and commercial cooperation, as well as scientific-technical and humanitarian links will continue to strengthen," PL reports.

Russia has consistently advocated an atmosphere of openness in the international context and the political and diplomatic solution of problems, on the basis of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and equality of states, Putin affirmed.

CELAC HONORS CHAVEZ, CALDERON AND LULA

Participants in the 1st CELAC Summit, taking place this weekend in Chile, are to honor Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and former Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Felipe Calderón of Mexico, according to EFE.

This is in recognition of their efforts to promote the regional bloc, created in 2011 in Caracas, Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno stated in a press conference at the Moneda Palace.

In an interview with PL, Carlos Alvarez, Secretary General of the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), said that the presence of Latin America and the Caribbean "is fundamental to giving greater leadership to the South and constitutes a change in global power maps."

CELAC comprises 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries.

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