After seven days of a hectic agenda Russian Duma Vice president Ivan Melnikov concluded a visit to Cuba, during which he said to have enjoyed a favorable atmosphere for Havana-Moscow ties.

He told Prensa Latina that he had visited the country several times and found good reception considering ties between the Russian Federation and Cuba could set an example.

After expressing satisfaction for his visit to the Island, Melnikov pointed out that, in the first place, inter-parliamentary ties were strengthened and evaluated identifying issues to increase bilateral relations.

He mentioned recently signed four agreements on oil between Cuban CUPET and Russian Zarubezhneft for risk exploration in land and waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Referring to the State Duma he said that the Cuban issues are debated.

Resolutions of support for Cuba against White House hostility, of support for 50 years of the Revolution and liberation of the Cuban five antiterrorists in prison for 11 years in the United States are proof of our interest, he declared.

In meetings with Cuban leaders he also pointed out that he held one with Cuban parliament president, Ricardo Alarcon.

We gave him the resolution unanimously signed in the Duma against the economic, trade and financial blockade Washington imposes on Havana, Melnikov expressed.

His agenda also included meetings with vice president, Ricardo Cabrisas, and minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investments, Rodrigo Malmierca and of Basic Industry, Yadira Garcia.

For the Russian Communist leader he held emotive meetings with family members of Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez, suffering sentences that go from 15 years to double life sentences after their arrest in 1998.