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.

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.

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.