Havana, Mar 25, (RHC), – The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and vice-president of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini said that the need to strengthen bilateral relations between Cuba and the European Union was at the center of her meeting on Tuesday with President Raul Castro.

We focused on the strengthening of relations with Cuba, Mogherini told ACN during a news conference in Havana.

The European Union is willing to accompany Cuba in the update of its economic model and our main objective is to contribute to this process in the benefit of the Cuban people, said the European Union representative, who paid an official visit to Cuba.

She also described the US economic, financial and commercial blockade of Cuba as outdated and demanded its lifting given the negative impact on European investment and on the Cuban people.

Mogherini announced an upcoming meeting in Brussels with Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez to follow up on the dialog aimed at reaching an accord before the end of this year.

During a previous bilateral meeting, foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez expressed certainty that the grounds agreed to for relations between the EU and Cuba and for ongoing negotiations, based on sovereignty, mutual respect and non interference with internal affairs, will help reach a fruitful end.

Mogherini was also received by Cuban Parliament president Esteban Lazo; Economy minister Marino Murillo and Foreign Trade and Investment minister Rodrigo Malmierca.