Havana, January 20 (RHC)-- A visiting delegation from the United States Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), headed by Democrat Ronald Sarasin, met Tuesday with Cuban deputies, former deputies and other officials of the National Assembly of People's Power.

The visitors expressed their rejection of the US blockade of Cuba during the exchange, referring to the policy as a major obstacle to fully-normalized relations.

Former congressman Jim Slattery, a Democrat from Arkansas, said his home state is eager to trade freely with Cuba in several areas of mutual interest.

Cuban Deputy Rolando González, a member of the Parliament's Foreign Relations Commission, insisted that bilateral ties must be based on mutual respect and equality.