Moscow, May 4 (RHC) -– The speaker of the Russian lower chamber of parliament or Duma, Sergei Naryshkin, is paying an official visit to Cuba, as both countries mark the 55th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations.

Naryshkin is heading a delegation made up of lawmakers, experts and journalists who will participate at an international forum on Soviet Cooperation and Latin America during the Second World War, to take place tomorrow, May 5th, in Havana.

Speaking to reporters, the Duma speaker stressed the successful collaboration between Russia and Cuba and the traditional bonds of friendship between the two nations.

He also underscored the dynamic bilateral exchange over the past 20 years in diverse areas; however, Naryshkin regretted that bilateral commercial exchange fell by 12 percent in 2014, though he stressed that the parliaments of both nations can contribute to reverse this trend.

The Russian lawmaker said he was optimistic about the results of his visit, during which he will hold talks with Cuban Parliament President Esteban Lazo and will attend the official ceremony for the 55th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Havana and Moscow.