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Council of the European Union     7/10/2019 10th anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental Rights: Council reaffirms the importance of EU common values Today the Council adopted conclusions on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The conclusions reaffirm that the Union is based on common values such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These rights are a cornerstone of the European Union and must be fully respected by all member states and the EU institutions. The Council also reaffirms its commitment to the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights, which would further enhance the protection of fundamentals rights in Europe. The Council, taking note of the reports produced by the Commission and the EU Agency for Fundamental rights, acknowledges that challenges in the area of non-discrimination persist and reiterates its commitment to continue its work to fight against all forms of discrimination. Noting that public awareness of the Charter remains low, the Council calls on member states to strengthen their awareness-raising and training activities towards all key stakeholders, including policymakers, civil servants, legal practitioners as well as national human rights institutions, civil society organisations, etc. The Council also recalls that the e-justice portal is an important tool to support this and commits itself to having thematic discussions and annual exchange of views on the application of the Charter at the national level. While welcoming the essential role of the Fundamental Rights Agency in providing expertise on fundamental rights and inviting the EU institutions and Member States to make better use of the agency’s services, the Council underlines it would consider carefully any proposal from the Commission to enable the agency to carry out its work even more efficiently. Finally, as civil society organisations play a vital role in raising awareness and supporting efforts by individuals to exercise and defend their rights, the Council recalls the importance of removing and refraining from any unnecessary, unlawful or arbitrary restrictions on civil society. Read the full text of the Council conclusions Background The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union was solemnly proclaimed on 7 December 2000. However, it became fully legally binding once it was integrated within the Treaty of Lisbon in December 2009. This year therefore marks the 10th anniversary of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights becoming legally binding. The Charter contains 50 articles related to political, social, and economic rights. Member States have a duty to respect the rights and observe the principles of the Charter whenever they are acting within the scope of EU law. The Charter applies to the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union and to its member states when implementing European Union law. Results of a recent Eurobarometer survey on Charter awareness show that only 42% of respondents have heard of the Charter and 12% know what it is. 2019: Special Eurobarometer : Awareness of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency - Fundamental Rights Report 2019 European Commission - Annual reports on the application of the Charter Council of the European Union     7/10/2019  EU accedes to international agreement on appellations of origin and geographical indications The EU is acceding to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on appellations of origin and geographical indications ("the Geneva Act"). The Council today adopted

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The White House • October 3, 2019 President Trump is protecting Medicare for America’s seniors Today, President Donald J. Trump traveled to The Villages, Florida, outlining how he will protect Medicare for our Nation's seniors. In doing so, he offered a clear contrast to Congressional Democrats’ socialist takeover vision for the public. A message to America’s seniors: “No one will lay a hand on your Medicare benefits.” “I made you a sacred pledge that I would strengthen, protect, and defend Medicare for our senior citizens,” President Trump said. “Today, I will sign a historic executive order that does exactly that: We are making your Medicare even better—and we are not letting anyone take it away.” The newly signed Executive Order will improve service to American seniors in many ways. First, it will empower patients by giving them more plan choices, more access to new therapies, and more time with providers. It will also maximize freedom for patients and providers by reducing regulatory burdens and eliminating unnecessary barriers. But most important, it will improve the fiscal sustainability of Medicare overall, ensuring that it will always be there for those who need it most. In the Sunshine State alone, more than 4.5 million people are currently enrolled in Medicare. Today’s announcement was just the latest bit of welcome news for Floridians as part of the President’s economic agenda for working Americans. More than 550,000 jobs have been added there since the election, and the state’s unemployment rate has been reduced from 4.7 percent to 3.3 percent. “Medicare is under threat like never before. Almost every major Democrat in Washington has backed a massive government healthcare takeover that would obliterate Medicare.” The left’s “Medicare-for-All” vision is a dangerous proposal, to put it lightly, threatening to end the Medicare program as we know it and eliminate choice for America’s seniors. If it is ever implemented, the end result would be Medicare-for-none. Democrats lied about Obamacare then. They’re lying about Medicare-for-All now. President Trump’s healthcare vision: Puts America’s seniors and patients first Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour President Trump speaks with reporters prior to his trip to The Villages, Florida | October 3, 2019

AHEPA Meets with Archbishop Elpidophoros

AHEPA Meets with Archbishop Elpidophoros L-R: Executive Director Mossaidis, Chairman of the Board Karacostas, Supreme President Horiates, Archbishop Elpidophoros, and Supreme VP Kokotas. (Photo credit: GOA/D. Panagos) His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros welcomed Supreme President George G. Horiates to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, September 27, 2019. Chairman of the Board Nicholas A. Karacostas, PSP; Supreme Vice President Jimmy Kokotas, and Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis accompanied the Supreme President. AHEPA leaders also attended events held in concurrence with the United Nations General Assembly where they interfaced with Greek and Cypriot government officials. read more AHEPA Delivers More Aid to Flint Water Crisis Victims Michigan's AHEPA family successfully completed its 7th "Milk for Flint" giveaway, September 26, 2019. They provided gallons of milk to 354 Flint households represented, and the line of residents was non-stop for almost 2-1/2 hours, according to organizers. AHEPA has raised $26,000 to deliver 14,000 gallons of milk to Flint residents since the first giveaway in March 2016. Look for an 8th "Milk for Flint" giveaway in Spring 2020.  view more Disney 2020! Make Your Plans Today! It's never too early to plan a visit to Walt Disney World Resort -- especially when its the venue for the 2020 AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, July 19 to 26. Disney's Coronado Springs Resort will be our convention headquarters. Learn More | Book Today! Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:

Join AHEPA Today! In Our Own Words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now Upcoming Events & Deadlines   October 19 | Athenagoras Human Rights Award Banquet, New York, N.Y. Greek American News Digest   Editor's Note: Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.   Greek PM calls for migrant burden-sharing, slams Turkey's 'gunboat diplomacy' Ekathimerini (Sept. 27) Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for greater burden sharing when it comes to immigration, in a thinly veiled criticism of the failure of some central and eastern European states to take in asylum seekers.  read more Greece - Prime Minister Addresses General Debate, 74th Session Greece rushes to unblock camps after migrant deaths Politico (Sept. 30) Greece's government announced on Monday sweeping measures to deal with a sharp increase in migration flows, a day after a killer blaze in a notoriously overcrowded camp on the island of Lesbos.  read more | Associated Press Anastasiades decries Turkey's gunboat diplomacy in UN speech Cyprus Mail (Sept. 26) President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday took the opportunity during his speech at the UN General Assembly to respond to criticism by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who, from the same podium, accused Greek Cypriots of having ill-intentions on the Cyprus problem.  read more Cyprus - President Addresses General Debate, 74th Session Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew urges world leaders to achieve targets of Paris Agreement ANA-MPA (Sept. 26) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Thursday urged global leaders to speed up progress "towards achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement on decarbonisation," in a message to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on the occasion of the UN Summit on Climate Change in New York.  read more Pyatt at Energy Summit: Greece's regional energy role on agenda of visiting US Secy of State Pompeo ANA-MPA (Oct. 1) Greece's role in energy developments in the region and in the European Union os one of the topics to be discussed during US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's October 5 visit to Athens, US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt said while addressing the 1st Annual Eastern Mediterranean Energy Leadership Summit.  read more The mysterious healing plant that only grows on Greece's Chios island CNN (Sept. 30) Known as the "painted village," Pyrgi is undoubtedly one of the most photogenic places in the world.  read more Professor Organizes Cutting-Edge Mediterranean Diet Symposium at Harvard The Pappas Post (Sept. 30) Last week, more than a dozen academics, chefs and food connoisseurs gathered for an engaging symposium at Harvard University's Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies under the leadership of Dr. Stefanos Kales, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and professor at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health.  read more | Diples by Chef Michael Psilakis | Roasted Potatoes by The Greek Vegan

ΚΙΝΗΜΑ ΣΥΝΤΑΞΙΟΥΧΩΝ:... Τι λέει η δικαστική απόφαση για τα μέλη μας που δικαιώνονται;

... Τι λέει η δικαστική απόφαση για τα μέλη μας που δικαιώνονται; - Θα καταργηθεί ο ν. Κατρούγκαλου; Κινδυνεύει να κοπεί η προσωπική διαφορά; - Τι διαφορετικό έφερε το Κίνημα Συνταξιούχων σε σχέση με τα άλλα σωματεία; Πως θα συνεχίσουμε; Αυτά και άλλα πολλά θα συζητήσουμε μεθαύριο Τρίτη 8/10 και ώρα 11.00 στο Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο του ΟΤΕ {3ης Σεπτεμβρίου 110). Να είμαστε όλοι εκεί ! Διαβάστε το άρθρο

Μεταναστευτικό: η κυβέρνηση συνεχίζει την πολιτική ΣΥΡΙΖΑ Ναπολέων Λιναρδάτος

Μεταναστευτικό: η κυβέρνηση συνεχίζει την πολιτική ΣΥΡΙΖΑ
Ναπολέων Λιναρδάτος

Στη Λέσβο το πρωί της Τρίτης μέσα σε δέκα λεπτά είχαν εισβάλει περίπου 300 λαθρομετανάστες. Το Σεπτέμβριο η Ύπατη Αρμοστεία του ΟΗΕ υπολόγισε τις «αφίξεις» σε πάνω από 10.000. Την ίδια ημέρα σε πρωτοσέλιδα των εφημερίδων, οι εναπομείναντες Έλληνες στην επικράτεια, είχαν την ευκαιρία να μάθουν πως η κυβέρνηση ετοιμάζει να στεγάσει 56.000 λαθρομετανάστες σε διαμερίσματα και ξενοδοχεία.

Ο Έλληνας πολίτης φαίνεται ότι έχει δύο επιλογές. Ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ που ανοιχτά, ξεκάθαρα και χωρίς υπεκφυγές υποστηρίζει και εφάρμοσε μια πολιτική ανοιχτών συνόρων. Εν αντιθέσει, η Νέα Δημοκρατία δεν υποστηρίζει δημόσια μια πολιτική ανοιχτών συνόρων. Εμμέσως όμως έχει αποδεχτεί τις βασικές αρχές της πολιτικής του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ. Η κυβέρνηση δεν προτίθεται να κάνει τίποτε το ουσιαστικό για την αποτροπή των «μεταναστευτικών» ροών. Επίσης δεν προτίθεται να κάνει τίποτε το ουσιαστικό για την προστασία των συνόρων.

Αυτά που βασικά έχει εξαγγείλει η κυβέρνηση μέχρι τώρα είναι μια καλύτερη και πιο οργανωμένη εισροή λαθρομεταναστών στην Ελλάδα. Δηλαδή, ό,τι θα ήθελαν να είχαν καταφέρει οι Συριζαίοι αλλά δεν μπόρεσαν λόγω της γνωστής τους ανικανότητας. Το να μοιράσει η κυβέρνηση τους λαθρομετανάστες που βρίσκονται στα νησιά του Αιγαίου στην υπόλοιπη Ελλάδα, αυτό θα ήθελε να το είχε πετύχει και ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ αλλά δεν μπόρεσε – και διαισθανόμενοι το πολιτικό κόστος ίσως και να μην ήθελαν.

Οι 10.000 απελάσεις που υποσχέθηκε ότι κάποτε θα πετύχει η κυβέρνηση όλοι καταλαβαίνουν είναι μια καθαρά επικοινωνιακή εξαγγελία. Όταν και αν υλοποιηθεί, θα ήταν να επαναπατρισμός των λαθρομεταναστών που εισέβαλαν στην Ελλάδα μέσα σε ένα μήνα. Ότι έχει εξαγγείλει μέχρι τώρα η κυβέρνηση διαχωρίζεται σε δύο κατηγορίες. Εξαγγελίες επικοινωνιακές που θα έχουν ελάχιστα αποτελέσματα, και όλες οι υπόλοιπες εξαγγελίες που θα έχουν ως αποτέλεσμα την συνέχιση των μεταναστευτικών ροών.

Όταν εξαγγέλλεις ότι προγραμματίζεις να στεγάσεις 56.000 λαθρομετανάστες σε διαμερίσματα και ξενοδοχεία, στέλνεις ένα ξεκάθαρο μήνυμα σε κάθε Σύριο, Πακιστανό, Αφγανό και άλλους που βρίσκονται στην Τουρκία να έρθουν στην Ελλάδα. Όταν κάνεις τα στραβά μάτια και αποδέχεσαι αυτούς που εισέρχονται από την Τουρκία παράνομα ως δικαίως αιτούντες ασύλου, τότε δίνεις ένα επιπλέον και σημαντικό μήνυμα «ανοίξαμε και σας περιμένουμε.»

Το πρώτο βήμα μιας πολιτικής που θα είχε στόχο την αποτροπή της λαθρομετανάστευσης θα ήταν ότι η παράνομη είσοδος αυτομάτως σημαίνει απόρριψη κάθε αίτησης ασύλου. Άτομα που εισβάλουν κατά αυτό τον τρόπο στην Ελλάδα θα πρέπει να μπαίνουν σε καθεστώς απέλασης. Το δεύτερο βήμα για την αποτροπή του φαινομένου θα ήταν ότι η πρώτη προϋπόθεση για παροχή ασύλου θα ήταν η απόδειξη του αιτούντος πως υπάρχει άμεσος κίνδυνος για την ζωή του στην περιοχή που βρίσκεται τώρα. Όλοι καταλαβαίνουμε ότι αυτοί που εισβάλουν καθημερινά στην Ελλάδα δεν έρχονται για να προστατεύσουν τις ζωές τους, απλά και ξεκάθαρα μεταναστεύουν.

ΓΙΟΡΤΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΘΛΗΤΗ ΣΤΟ ΔΗΜΟ ΒΥΡΩΝΑ

Εκδήλωση Έναρξης Αλληλέγγυου Εργαστηρίου Σχεδίου 9.10.2019 – Πρόσκληση για συμμετοχή μαθητών και διδασκόντων – Έκθεση έργων

Θέμα : Αλληλέγγυο Εργαστήρι Σχεδίου

Το Τμήμα Αττικής του ΣΑΔΑΣ σας καλεί και φέτος να συμμετάσχετε στην δράση του Αλληλέγγυου Εργαστηρίου Σχεδίου, που θα πραγματοποιηθεί για 7η συνεχή χρονιά εφόσον δηλωθούν διαθεσιμότητες.

Η εναρκτήρια εκδήλωση όπου θα δηλωθούν συμμετοχές μαθητών και διδασκόντων θα γίνει την Τετάρτη 9 Οκτωβρίου στις 19:00 στα γραφεία του ΣΑΔΑΣ – ΠΕΑ (Βρυσακίου 15 και Κλάδου, Μοναστηράκι).

Κατά την εκδήλωση θα πραγματοποιηθεί παράλληλα έκθεση των έργων των μαθητών της περασμένης χρονιάς. Το Αλληλέγγυο Εργαστήρι είναι μια συνεργασία του Τμήματος Αττικής του ΣΑΔΑΣ και του Συλλόγου Φοιτητών Αρχιτεκτονικής ΕΜΠ.

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες μπορείτε να επικοινωνήσετε με τη συντονίστρια της δράσης :

 Ελένη Βαφειάδου, μέλος του ΔΣ ΣΑΔΑΣ – Τμήματος Αττικής, στα τηλέφωνα 2105713511 και 6951472572 ή στο vafel_1@yahoo.gr.

Για το Διοικητικό Συμβούλιο ΣΑΔΑΣ – Τμ. Αττικής


Η ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΣ                                                                     Η ΓΕΝ. ΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΕΑΣ

ΤΖΟΥΛΙΑ ΤΣΑΛΙΚΗ                                                          ΟΥΡΑΝΙΑ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΥ

CANADA:Statement by the Prime Minister on the death of John Buchanan

Statement by the Prime Minister on the death of John Buchanan

October 4, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today issued the following statement on the death of John Buchanan, former Premier of Nova Scotia and senator:

“I was saddened today to learn of the passing of former Premier of Nova Scotia and Senator John Buchanan.

“As a lawyer and politician, Mr. Buchanan dedicated his life to service. Leaving his law practice to pursue a career in politics, he served as Minister of Fisheries and Public Works before becoming Nova Scotia’s 20th premier.

“While in office, Mr. Buchanan played a role in the negotiations for the patriation of the Canadian Constitution. Shortly after stepping down as premier, he was appointed to the Senate where he continued to serve Canadians for nearly 16 years.

“He will be remembered not only for his contributions to government, but also for his down-home charm and provincial pride.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer condolences to Mr. Buchanan’s family and friends on their loss.”

Dmitry Medvedev’s interview with the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

Dmitry Medvedev’s interview with the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company
5 October 2019 16:30 Havana, Republic of Cuba


During his visit to Cuba, the Prime Minister took questions from the host of the Vesti v Subbotu programme, Sergei Brilyov.


Dmitry Medvedev’s interview with the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

Sergei Brilyov: Mr Medvedev, Russia closed the base that the Soviet Union built on Cuba. Much is being said about re-opening it now that the situation has worsened. I’m not sure what exactly is being discussed, but if the Government is asked to allocate money from the state budget for this, will you do so?

Dmitry Medvedev: Strictly speaking, we did not have a base here in the Soviet times.

Sergei Brilyov: A training brigade.

Dmitry Medvedev: There was a brigade. We are now discussing a variety of international scenarios with our Cuban friends. The situation in and around Cuba today is very complicated. Cuba has been under a blockade for almost 60 years and has received almost no investment other than assistance and support provided by the Soviet Union and former socialist countries. According to economists, over these years the amount of Cuba’s lost investment totals about $1 trillion, taking into account the location of Cuba and the lost opportunities. Now, the situation is even more complicated, as the current US administration has again adopted a very tough policy with regard to Cuba and imposed all kinds of sanctions, including personal.

Sergei Brilyov: In particular, they do not allow tankers to Cuba. The Cubans asked me if Russian ships can escort them.

Dmitry Medvedev: I think we will find other ways to help Cuba get oil and petroleum products. We discussed this today and agreed that we would draft a work plan for energy supplies to Cuba, bearing in mind conventional energy sources, hydrocarbons, and maybe some other available avenues. What we need to discuss is expanding economic ties with Cuba. In recent years, they have been quite successful. First, our trade has grown quite significantly, by 20 to 30 percent in recent years. Of course, that’s not a lot, but it translates into hundreds of millions of dollars. Second, investment is on the rise. We have just signed an agreement with the Cubans to renovate their entire railway system. It’s almost 1,000 kilometres.

Sergei Brilyov: I would even add, that means tens of thousands of new jobs in Russia.

Dmitry Medvedev: Tens of thousands of new jobs in our country and Cuba.

Sergei Brilyov: A Russia-Latin America forum was held in St Petersburg earlier this week. A young man stood up and said: “It all sounds very pretty with Cuba, but will it not end again, as in the Soviet years, because of strategic importance, in supplies instead of investment and trade?”

Dmitry Medvedev: Gratuitous help and non-refundable supplies…

Everything has changed in the world. The Soviet Union is no longer there, and Cuba is changing, and there’s no question about any free help which would then have to be written off. All our relations are very pragmatic. Although they are friendly in nature and based on historical past, they are nevertheless relations between modern states. They should be mutually beneficial.

Sergei Brilyov: I will also remind our viewers that there’s a unique Russian-Cuban agreement. We wrote off 90 percent of Cuba’s debt, and they will repay 10 percent of it on terms that are very favourable for Russia. There’s a Cuban industry in which they accept only Russians without any competitive bids. But how good are they at paying the debt?





Dmitry Medvedev’s interview with the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

Dmitry Medvedev: Our Cuban friends are paying off their debt. Unlike what happened 20 to 30 years ago, in Soviet times, when no one was counting money at all, our Cuban friends are now paying. And even during the talks with the President of that country, he said several times that they would pay all their outstanding debts.

Sergei Brilyov: I will still go back to America since we are so close. What do military and political leaders in Moscow think in general about Zelensky’s appearance instead of the Russian story? So, it appears that he indeed interfered in the US elections?

Dmitry Medvedev: You know, as regards Ukraine-US relations, I can say for certain that I do not envy Mr Zelensky at all because he is between the hammer of the Democratic Party and the anvil of the Republican Party.

Sergei Brilyov: He has to make a choice because he will not be able to sit it out.

Dmitry Medvedev: If he continues the investigation and if it is carried out by the prosecutor whom he mentioned as his man, he will offend the Democrats. They will accuse him of interference in the US elections, as the Americans like doing. But if he blocs the investigation, it will appear strange because of the previous publications and he will offend the current Trump administration that he promised to help clear up some issues. So he is in a very difficult position.

Sergei Brilyov: I’d like to recall one amusing comparison made in the US press – that Zelensky will become Trump’s Monica Lewinsky.

Dmitry Medvedev: They are evil guys.

Sergei Brilyov: Do you feel that impeachment is likely in the United States?

Dmitry Medvedev: To be honest, this is their business. I am referring to the US political system. But they are locked in a serious battle. I am absolutely certain about this because for each of the two elements of the US political system this is a real opportunity to gain the upper hand. I don’t know what will happen eventually but they have a serious and fairly well-balanced system. I don’t think anything real critical will happen. Also, the US system has demonstrated its viability for centuries. It has been extremely tough in pursuing its interests all over the world and received relevant assessments. So, it seems to me we should not worry about them. Everything will develop normally there, but we will have to wait and see what repercussions this will have in other countries, including Ukraine. It is interesting to watch this process.

Sergei Brilyov: Tell me honestly, please, do such problems inside the United States allow Russia to act more proactively in Latin America?





Dmitry Medvedev’s interview with the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

Dmitry Medvedev: It seems to me that the Americans are behaving like they always did in the past. This is not because of their mistakes, miscalculations or frequently wrong policy towards its neighbours, which is disrespectful, to put it mildly. No. We simply want to develop relations with all Latin American countries and Cuba is our traditional partner. It is really a close country for us. Many Cubans studied in Russia and we simply know their country well.

Sergei Brilyov: We see that Cuba is again under sanctions. Thus, personal sanctions have been imposed on Raul Castro. You met with him, didn’t you?

Dmitry Medvedev: Yes, I met him. He is very positive and speaks about this with a grin. He said: these are some incomprehensible, childish decisions. He is very wise and very adult. He will soon be 90. So he is absolutely calm about these things.

Sergei Brilyov: All his family is under US sanctions now…

Dmitry Medvedev: You understand what response this evokes – not only in Raul Castro’s family but in society in general. If this is done to one of the leaders of the country, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, what is the US attitude towards all other people? So this is the general attitude of the United States to Cuba and its people. Moreover, this also leads to economic consequences. The people have to suffer, especially if there is an embargo, a ban on the supply of oil and petroleum products. So this obviously does not create good feelings towards the United States. Cubans do not become more disposed to it.

Sergei Brilyov: Did you and Raul Castro not discuss training brigades and new military bases? Believe me, the backstage here is overwhelmed with talking about this.

Dmitry Medvedev: Let them talk. I talked with him about cooperation, we recalled the past, our first meeting. Our relations have come a long way since then. I will be frank with you – when we met for the first time, things were really difficult with us, to be honest. That is, we had good relations but economic exchange was minor and there was practically no investment. And the decisions that we made back then that solved the situation with the debt, a whole number of decisions, deals concluded by large Russian companies, led to a situation where our vehicles are here again, as are our locomotives, and now the subject of railways is getting high on the agenda. We are also talking about the sale of airplanes and maintenance for those that are already here.

Sergei Brilyov: Metallurgy, a thermal power station?

Dmitry Medvedev: Metallurgy, a thermal power station, alternative power generation, and agriculture.

I was surprised, for example, to find that our Cuban friends buy wheat in Canada and France like we did in Soviet times. But I think we can deliver wheat to Cubans on no less acceptable terms and ensure reliable food security for them. Oil deliveries may be cut off, but if the United States makes a decision to ban food supplies or to put them under control, this is no laughing matter. And in this sense our Cuban friends appreciate our proposals.

Sergei Brilyov: Back in the Soviet Union a standard Spanish-language textbook had a text about “my friend at Havana University.” There are more Cuban students in Russia now whereas the stream of Russian students here ran dry. Did you discuss this? Because Cuba is a good, friendly, Spanish-speaking country. It’s only right to come here to study.





Dmitry Medvedev’s interview with the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

Dmitry Medvedev: Absolutely. Actually, I shall visit Havana University. The university is excellent. It was established just four years later than St Petersburg University. But indeed, I think it right that as many of our students as possible should come here to study, for internship. They can be both undergraduate and postgraduate students, probably. Of course, it is good to increase student exchanges. It is necessary to have good command of Spanish, you know it too well. And it is possible to have it here, at least the Cuban variant of the Spanish language. As I understand, it is still somewhat different from the continental Spanish.

Sergei Brilyov: Today, many agreements have been signed. Nevertheless, Miguel Diaz-Canel says he will be going to Moscow soon. Does this mean something else will be signed? Are there other matters being discussed?

Dmitry Medvedev: No, these will be working meetings, and it is just a reason to come to Eurasia. One of the events will be hosted by Baku: the Non-Aligned Movement. Our Cuban friends take part in that event.

Sergei Brilyov: Historically, since Fidel Castro times.

Dmitry Medvedev: Historically. Plus there is another reason to visit our country – May 9 of next year.

Sergei Brilyov: This is next year, but what about now?

Dmitry Medvedev: They accepted the invitation; is there anything wrong with that? Havana is going to celebrate its 500th anniversary soon, and a large representative delegation from the Russian Federation will attend. And there will be another visit along the Security Council lines, so our contacts are ongoing. We have fully restored our relations with Cuba.

Sergei Brilyov: So we are looking forward to something interesting in the foreseeable future.

Dmitry Medvedev: We hope our relations will become stronger with every new day. We would like this to happen.

Sergei Brilyov: Thank you, Mr Medvdev.

Dmitry Medvedev: Thank you.