Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:01pm GMT
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro signed a "strategic partnership" agreement at a Kremlin meeting on Friday, part of a new era of friendship between the former Cold War allies.
The two sides drew up 34 agreements during Castro's visit to Moscow -- the first visit by a Cuban leader since the end of the Cold War. No details of the partnership document were released.
Russia has also agreed to give Cuba a loan to buy Russian goods, although the exact amount of the loan was not disclosed.
"Your visit to our country opens a new page of Russia-Cuba relations," Medvedev said during opening remarks.
Moscow was Cuba's main benefactor during the Cold War but relations waned after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.
Over the past few months both countries have worked to rebuild ties. Russian oil companies want to drill in the sea around Cuba and its military has talked about air defence cooperation with the Cubans.
"It is our duty on the Cuban side ... to take the appropriate steps for the constant, serene but unstoppable consolidation of our relations in all aspects," Castro said.
"The strategic association we have agreed ... reflects perfectly what we have achieved and what we aspire to achieve."
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