Russian PM says ties with Cuba on upward path

HAVANA - Visiting Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Friday that the bilateral relations between his country and Cuba are on an upward path.

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (L) stands next to Cuba's President Raul Castro as they attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Soviet Soldier monument in Havana February 22, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

The ties with Cuba are historical, solid, strategic, and are on an upward path, official news agency Prensa Latina (PL) quoted the Russian prime minister as saying.

Medvedev stressed that there were no obstacles in enhancing cooperation ties with Cuba in the areas including economy, humanitarian affairs and government decisions.

The Russian prime minister highlighted that his country and the island country had wide prospects for developing and increasing the links in the sectors of energy, industry, high technology, medicine as well as cosmos.

He said the trade between Moscow and Havana was standing at about $214 million in 2012 which was not enough, and should be increased in coming years.

Also on Friday, Medvedev laid a wreath at the Mausoleum of the Soviet Internationalist Soldier where the remains of 67 Soviet soldiers were held in memory of their sacrifice in the Missile Crisis in October 1962.

The Russian prime minister arrived in Cuba Thursday afternoon for an official visit from Brazil. This is Medvedev's second trip to Cuba. He visited the island country as head of state in 2008.