Moscow - Fidel Castro made a great contribution to guarantee morale in the international arena, something we now lack, declared Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov when paying tribute here to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution.

'I am sure nobody did more than him for both the Cuban people and the links between Cuba and Russia', Lavrov added.

In all senses, Fidel Castro was a great person, an extraordinary personality that also includes the Cuban people, whose wellbeing was the reason for his concern throughout his life, all his activity, all his plans, affirmed when answering a question from Prensa Latina.

That includes universal values such as the need for freedom, truth, justice, said the head of Russian diplomacy, after signing the book of condolences in the Cuban diplomatic mission in this capital.

Precisely, that is what made Fidel so popular. Besides, his unwavering will defending his imperishable points of view and values conquered his authority throughout the world, he stressed.

Fidel Castro was in the beginning of the relations between Cuba and the Soviet Union, as well as with Russia nowadays, Lavrov emphasized.

In several occasions, I had the privilege to talk with him when he was still actively working in 2004 and then in other visits, when he was already out of his position, I visited his house and for me those conversations remain as if it had taken place yesterday, he emphasized.

On September 13, Lavrov headed a ceremony at the Foreign Ministry, where he launched the Russian version of the book Fidel Castro: the time guerrilla fighter, an opportunity that he used to highlight the universal qualities of the Cuban leader.

During the event it was also celebrated the 90th birthday of the Commander, as the Russian people refer to the Cuban leader.