OREANDA-NEWS. July 29, 2009. The President’s message said, in part:

“It is important that relations between our two countries are continuing their steady growth today. We seek to continue work on promising joint projects. The Russia-Cuba Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation has a leading role to play in this process.” 

In Mr Medvedev’s opinion, “we need to continue expanding our cooperation in high-technology and innovation sectors such as the biopharmaceuticals industry, and work on establishing joint enterprises and production.” The President also named cooperation in the electricity, infrastructure, transport, and communications sectors as priorities. Mr Medvedev expressed readiness to support Russian companies working in Cuba’s oil and gas sector.  

The message was delivered to Mr Castro by Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin, currently on a visit to Cuba.