Russia keen to boost economic ties with Cuba, says top envoy

Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, on an official visit to Cuba Tuesday, said his country was interested in expanding economic ties with the Caribbean country.

During a meeting in Havana with Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, Cuba's vice president of the Council of Ministers, the two noted that " the setting was favorable for strengthening economic ties," state daily Granma said.

Russia "is willing to begin implementing the accords reached between the two sides during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to (Cuba) in July (2014)," the daily said, citing Lavrov.

"We know Cuba's development plans, in which Russian companies showed interest in participating," Lavrov was quoted as saying.

Russia's top diplomat also underscored the political ties between the two countries, saying "we maintain mutual cooperation in international affairs and in Cuba's efforts to put an end to the economic, trade and financial embargo imposed by the United States."

Cabrisas thanked Russia for its support of Cuba's struggle against the half-century U.S. campaign to isolate the Caribbean country, the daily said.

Lavrov also met with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez, as part of the first stage of a Latin America tour that includes Colombia, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

May 8 will mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Cuba and Russia, two close Cold War allies until the fall of the Soviet Union. Endite