Havana, July 12, (RHC), – Cuban President Raul Castro Ruz, held official talks on Friday with the visiting President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who ratified Russia's support to Cuba against the illegal economic bloackade imposed on the island by the United States.

During the fraternal meeting, Raul and Putin praised the current state of bilateral relations, and ratified the political willingness to meet objectives of the 2012-2020 Bilateral Economic Agenda, which prioritizes economic cooperation.

Likewise, the dignitaries discussed the prospects for the increase of Russian investments in Cuba and the flow of tourism from that nation to the Caribbean island. In addition, the two leaders talked about the current international panorama.

The distinguished visitor was accompanied by ministers, Serguei Lavrov, of Foreign Affairs; Denis Manturov, of Commerce and Industry; Veronica Skvostsova, of Health; and Alexander Novak, of Energy; Igor Sechin, president of the Rosneft oil consortium; as well as Mikhail L. Kamynin, Russia’s ambassador to Cuba; and other members of his delegation.

Cuba was also represented at the meeting by Miguel Diaz-Canel, First Vice-president of the councils of State and Ministers; Ricardo Cabrisas, Vice-president of the Council of Ministers; Bruno Rodriguez and Rodrigo Malmierca, ministers of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Investment, respectively; and Emilio Lozada, Cuban ambassador to Russia; among other members of the government.

After the meeting, the Cuban President of the councils of State and Ministers presented the President of the Russian Federation with the “Jose Marti National Order, the highest distinction granted by the Republic of Cuba.

Putin concluded his first stop on his six-day tour to Latin America in Havana, Cuba, on Friday afternoon. He was seen off at Havana's international airport by his Cuban cunterpart Raul Castro.