Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo thanked the outgoing president of Haiti, Rene Preval, for the maximum award of that country granted to the Cuban medical brigade for its work in combating the cholera epidemic.

Preval and Lazo reviewed the fruitful bilateral cooperation relations, expanded after the earthquake that struck the Haitian capital in February 2010, killing 250,000 people.

Lazo also met President-elect Michael Martelly at his office in Petionville, and will attend his inauguration on Saturday in the National Assembly.

Martelly expressed the desire to maintain and strengthen collaborative links between the two countries, while Lazo reiterated Cuba's willingness to continue cooperation and work for the people.

Lazo's agenda included an interview with outgoing Prime Minister, Jean Max Bellerive, at his official residence to review the development of ties between both nations.

Lazo also met at the Embassy of Cuba with the heads of missions of collaboration and Ambassador Ricardo Garcia.