Cuban President Raul Castro headed the official welcoming ceremony for his Croatian counterpart, Stjepan Mesic, held at the Revolution Palace in this capital.

Military honors were paid to the visitor by the ceremonial troops of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Participating in the ceremony was Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and other top Cuban government leaders.

After the welcoming ceremony, the two heads of state held official talks at the Revolution Palace.

Prior to the meeting, Stjepan Music placed a wreath by the monument to Jose Marti, located at Revolution Square, and toured the Memorial devoted to the Cuban National Hero, among other activities.