Julio Antonio Garmendía Peña,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba
to the Russian Federation
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba
to the Russian Federation
On December 11, 2020, the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council made a decision to grant the Republic of Cuba Observer State status at the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Today, Cuba reaffirms its unwavering commitment to implementing the decisions and agreements of the EAEU to intensify economic, trade, and financial ties and cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries. While the existing potential is quite high, the results achieved over these five years of partnership remain modest. And yet they demonstrate the capabilities of our states, primarily in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food production, tourism, and industry as a whole. In this regard, two key documents should be highlighted in the regulatory framework forging relations be-tween Cuba and the EAEU.
1. The Memorandum of Under-standing between the Eurasian Eco-nomic Commission and the Government of the Republic of Cuba dated May 31, 2018, paved the way for promoting mutually beneficial economic cooperation and fostering the expansion and diversification of trade between the EAEU countries and Cuba. The MoU serves as the fundamental text for developing cooperation and creating new EAEU-Cuba trade opportunities. Its main aim is to enhance comprehensive cooperation to boost trade and investment, work out policies to remove barriers hindering trade and investment, and facilitate collaboration in all areas of mutual interest.
2. The Joint Action Plan between the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Government of the Republic of Cuba for 2021–2025 signed in December 2021, englobes a whole of 34 areas of cooperation. It is currently being updated for the period 2026–2030.
Strengthened business ties are vital to progress in the economic partnership, and tangible steps are being taken in this regard, including establishing close relations between the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and the Chambers of Commerce of the EAEU member states. Worth noting that the interaction with the Russian, Belarusian and Armenian Chambers of Commerce, and the EAEU Business Council, is particularly close. The participation of business delegations in events held in June 2023 in Sochi (“Eurasia—Our Home” International Exhibition) and in September–October 2024 in Yerevan (III Eur-asian Economic Forum) is a testament to the synergy created in the business environment.
Particular emphasis at the EEF was placed on the EAEU-Cuban relations, as well as tourism. Entire panel discussions were devoted to these matters, serving as a platform for broadening and deepening business exchanges to foster and implement mutually beneficial projects. Recently, the Cuban Chamber of Commerce proposed signing an agreement to establish a bilateral committee with the EAEU Business Council. This initiative is currently being examined by our Eurasian colleagues. In May 2024, Cuba brought forth 47 different projects, attracting particular attention to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agro-industry, and industry (these initiatives are also under consideration). This year, Cuba is expressing a keen interest in implementing one or two projects within the EAEU on win-win terms.
It is worth mentioning that Eurasian entrepreneurs are displaying a firm commitment to participating in investment projects in Cuba, increasing and diversifying exports of goods and services, and implementing joint projects in various sectors. Cuba is an observer to the Phar-macopoeia Committee, represented by Biocubafarma and the Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment, and Medical Devices (CECMED).
The Republic also takes part in the activities of working groups on the circulation of medicines and medical devices. The country’s industrial sector is home to the most active interaction. Cuba has obtained information about technological platforms within the EAEU, and work is currently under-way, with the assistance of EEC experts, to identify opportunities and partners for implementing specific projects, using existing capacities in the production of goods and services.
In this vein, the EAEU held two seminars on financing schemes, consumer rights protection, sanitary, phytosanitary and veterinary standards. This year Moscow will also host the 4th meeting of the Joint Commission of the Eurasian Economic
Commission and the Government of Cuba, aimed at strengthening and diversifying economic, trade and financial relations with the EAEU countries. Special attention will be given to a more active approach to achieving tangible results of interaction. Understanding that the EAEU is not just a grouping of member and observer states, but an organisation engaged in practical interaction with partners across continents is crucial for Cuba. It is this position of the EAEU that made it an excellent model of integration with promising prospects.
1. The Memorandum of Under-standing between the Eurasian Eco-nomic Commission and the Government of the Republic of Cuba dated May 31, 2018, paved the way for promoting mutually beneficial economic cooperation and fostering the expansion and diversification of trade between the EAEU countries and Cuba. The MoU serves as the fundamental text for developing cooperation and creating new EAEU-Cuba trade opportunities. Its main aim is to enhance comprehensive cooperation to boost trade and investment, work out policies to remove barriers hindering trade and investment, and facilitate collaboration in all areas of mutual interest.
2. The Joint Action Plan between the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Government of the Republic of Cuba for 2021–2025 signed in December 2021, englobes a whole of 34 areas of cooperation. It is currently being updated for the period 2026–2030.
Strengthened business ties are vital to progress in the economic partnership, and tangible steps are being taken in this regard, including establishing close relations between the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and the Chambers of Commerce of the EAEU member states. Worth noting that the interaction with the Russian, Belarusian and Armenian Chambers of Commerce, and the EAEU Business Council, is particularly close. The participation of business delegations in events held in June 2023 in Sochi (“Eurasia—Our Home” International Exhibition) and in September–October 2024 in Yerevan (III Eur-asian Economic Forum) is a testament to the synergy created in the business environment.
Particular emphasis at the EEF was placed on the EAEU-Cuban relations, as well as tourism. Entire panel discussions were devoted to these matters, serving as a platform for broadening and deepening business exchanges to foster and implement mutually beneficial projects. Recently, the Cuban Chamber of Commerce proposed signing an agreement to establish a bilateral committee with the EAEU Business Council. This initiative is currently being examined by our Eurasian colleagues. In May 2024, Cuba brought forth 47 different projects, attracting particular attention to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agro-industry, and industry (these initiatives are also under consideration). This year, Cuba is expressing a keen interest in implementing one or two projects within the EAEU on win-win terms.
It is worth mentioning that Eurasian entrepreneurs are displaying a firm commitment to participating in investment projects in Cuba, increasing and diversifying exports of goods and services, and implementing joint projects in various sectors. Cuba is an observer to the Phar-macopoeia Committee, represented by Biocubafarma and the Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment, and Medical Devices (CECMED).
The Republic also takes part in the activities of working groups on the circulation of medicines and medical devices. The country’s industrial sector is home to the most active interaction. Cuba has obtained information about technological platforms within the EAEU, and work is currently under-way, with the assistance of EEC experts, to identify opportunities and partners for implementing specific projects, using existing capacities in the production of goods and services.
In this vein, the EAEU held two seminars on financing schemes, consumer rights protection, sanitary, phytosanitary and veterinary standards. This year Moscow will also host the 4th meeting of the Joint Commission of the Eurasian Economic
Commission and the Government of Cuba, aimed at strengthening and diversifying economic, trade and financial relations with the EAEU countries. Special attention will be given to a more active approach to achieving tangible results of interaction. Understanding that the EAEU is not just a grouping of member and observer states, but an organisation engaged in practical interaction with partners across continents is crucial for Cuba. It is this position of the EAEU that made it an excellent model of integration with promising prospects.