The meeting between Mielnikov, who is also first Vice-president of the Russian Communist Party Central committee, and Ricardo Alarcon took place in a cordial and frank ambiance, which characterizes the excellent friendship relations between the two legislative bodies.

According to Granma newspaper, Mielnikov arrived in Cuba heading a parliamentarian delegation at the invitation of the Cuban parliament.

The Russian official was also received by vice-president of the Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas and by Basic Industry Minister Yadira Garcia.

During these encounters, the Russian parliamentarian and the Cuban officials addressed key issues related to growing Cuban-Russian cooperation relations, and they agreed to the purpose of keeping strengthening such bonds.

Also attending the meetings were Vladimir Vitalievich Klimenkov, first vice-president of the Duma Committee for transportation issues and member of the United Russia faction; Serguei Vladimirovich Ivanov, member of the Duma Committee for information policy, technological information and communications—also member of the faction of Russia´s Liberal and Democratic Party--, and Vladimir Chikunov, who is the chief of Malenkov’s Secretariat.

The Russian delegation headed by Mielnikov arrived in Havana Monday evening and will meet a tight working agenda on the island.