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Russian PM met Comandante Fidel Castro

Medvedev believes that apart from history, the potential of Russian-Cuban relations has a brilliant future

HAVANA, February 22 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has met Cuban leader Fidel Castro during his working visit to Cuba.

“I had an informal night conversation with Comandante Fidel Castro. Our meetings always pass informally. That was my second meeting of that kind. The first one was in 2008,” Medvedev said in an interview with Cuban media.

“It was very interesting for me to talk to Fidel and hear his impressions of what’s going on. He is very much aware of all international events. We discussed various issues, including Cuba’s economic development and international problems. We talked about various things, including such extraordinary events as the meteorite explosion over Russia and slate gas,” the Russian prime minister said.

Medvedev believes that apart from history, the potential of Russian-Cuban relations has a brilliant future.

Also on Friday, Medvedev took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial to the Soviet Soldier Internationalist in the outskirts of Havana. Cuban guards of honor installed the wreath at the memorial to the sounds of the Russian national anthem. The Russian premier fixed the ribbon on the wreath. Then he bowed his head and stood in front of the monument for some time.

Raul Castro, the head of the State Council and chairman of the Cuban Council of Ministers, took part in the ceremony.

The memorial to Soviet Soldier Internationalist was unveiled on February 23, 1978 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Soviet Armed Forces. It was installed at the burial place of 68 Soviet soldiers who had perished or died in the territory of Cuba.

The memorial consists of two decorative walls along the perimeter. They symbolize, according to the author’s concept, the 1917 October Revolution in Russia and the 1959 Revolution in Cuba. The memorial also includes two hands: one with a submachine-gun and the other holding a laurel branch. A slab with eternal fire is situated in front of the central wall.

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