Lisbon, Portugal.-Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa ratified today in this capital, to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, hios Government”s willingness of strengthening the relations with the Caribbean island nation.

After welcoming the Cuban foreign minister at the Belem Palace, the Portuguese presidential residence, Rebelo de Sousa confirmed the Portuguese State willingness to consolidate the relations with Cuba, calling them very positive.

During the meeting, Rodriguez passed on to the host president greetings from Cuban President Raul Castro and told him that ‘his historic visit to Cuba in October had left pleasant memories,’ according to a report from Havana’s embassy in Lisbon.

The Cuban foreign minister, who is finishing his two-day official visit to Portugal today, thanked the words by Rebelo de Sousa in favor of lifting the US long-enforced blockade of Cuba.

Besides, he said he appreciated the condolences for the death in November, 25, 2016, of the historic leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, the Cuban legation press release read.

Bruno Rodriguez also passed on to Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa an invitation to pay an official visit to Cuba.

Cuban Foreign Ministry Director for Europe and Canada, Elio Rodriguez and Cuban Ambassador to Portugal Johana Tablada also participated in the meeting with the president.

On the Portuguese side, Ambassador Jose Augusto Duarte, diplomatic advisor to the president, and Joao Castel-Branco, advisor for Latin America, attended the meeting.