Alexey Gordeev, governor of Voronezh Region, held a meeting with Scientific Adviser of the State Council of Republic of Cuba, Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart, and  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Republic of Cuba in Russia, Emilio Lozada Garcia, press-service of the governor and government of Voronezh Region reports.

Interim head of Economic Development Department of the Region, Anatoly Bukreev, representative of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Voronezh, Alexander Stoyanovski, and Director of Scientific Research Institute of Urology, professor Oleg Apolikhin.
      
«The main item of the meeting’s agenda was related to the potential areas of cooperation between Voronezh Region and Republic of Cuba. In particular, this refers to agriculture, education and public health. In addition, Cuba plans to purchase An-148 aircraft manufactured by Voronezh Aircraft Production Association (VASO)», - the press-service said.
      
«Historically Cuba had friendly relations with Voronezh Region. And both parties are willing to renew and expand them», - Emilio Lozada Garcia said. Alexey Gordeev confirmed the region’s interest in cooperation with Cuba.
      
«At present we are negotiating deliveries of An-148 aircraft to Cuba; it is a new market for us», - the governor said. He also said that the possibility of signing a number of cooperation agreements in the area of public health and education was considered during the meeting.
      
«Voronezh Region really used to have a long-standing partnership with Cuba. Our citizens love Cuba and they remember the visit of Fidel Castro. We have a good foundation for development of our relations and we are willing to establish direct contacts between the Region and one of the Cuba’s provinces», - the governor added.
      
During the meeting Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart gave his point of view on a number of political matters, in particular, he confirmed that Cuba supports Russia’s position towards the crisis in Ukraine. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Republic of Cuba in Russia invited Alexey Gordeev to visit Cuba with a delegation comprising representatives of the Region’s municipal authorities and business community, the press-service noted.