Cuban First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel praised today the historical links between this country and Saint Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia.Diaz-Canel was received at the Palace of Smolny by the governor of that city Georgy Poltavchenko, to whom he told about young Cubans Aldo and Jorge Vivó, who lived in Saint Petersburg, then Leningrad, at the time of Hitler's invasion, the first of them gave his life for the cause of Soviet people.

Poltavchenko said he admires the struggle and efforts of the Cuban population and their Government for the development of the nation, a country that he considers a friend and with which St. Petersburg seeks to strengthen cooperation and bilateral exchange in fields such as science, higher education and culture.

"We follow with great interest Cuba's advances in scientific research, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, and indeed the city has a health center with specialized care to patients with diabetic foot, using the Cuban product Heberprot-P with very successful results", he said.

Diaz-Canel said that Cuba and Russia agree on main issues of the international agenda, as well as the important role of Russia in solving serious international conflicts.

He also reiterated Cuba's opposition to the unilateral sanctions taken by the West against Russia and also to the provocative actions taken by NATO to approach every time more the borders of this country.

Diaz-Canel began his official visit to Russia last Wednesday, when he was warmly received by President Vladimir Putin.

During his visit to Russia he has held meetings with Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, President of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko and head of the State Duma Sergei Naryshkin.

The official visit of Diaz-Canel will conclude next Monday, and he is accompany by Deputy Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra and Cuban Ambassador in Russia Emilio Lozada, among other officials.