The second day of the official visit to the Russian Federation of the member of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee, Esteban Lazo Hernandez, president of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State, was also fruitful.
 
In the Eurasian nation, the head of the Cuban Parliament and his delegation have developed an intense work program from the legislative sphere, following the recent tour of the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz˗Canel.      
 
One conviction has been clear in each of the exchanges, relations between the two parliaments are essential in the joint efforts to maintain and consolidate the excellent ties existing in all areas of mutual interest.
 
Early in the morning of December 1st, Esteban Lazo arrived once again at the headquarters of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation; this time to hold an intimate meeting with Ivan Melnikov, First Deputy Chairman of this legislative body and Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation.

In this conversation with a friend of our Homeland, Lazo Hernandez conveyed the fraternal greetings of the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba; as well as thanked the traditional and consistent position of support and solidarity with the Revolution and the condemnation in all tribunes of the blockade imposed by the U.S. Government against our country.
 
He also highlighted the position maintained within the Duma, where they have promoted for more than 25 consecutive years the declaration against the blockade which is approved unanimously.
 
"Our Party attaches special attention to the strategic relations with the Russian Federation. I reiterate our will to continue strengthening economic, commercial, financial and cooperation ties", he acknowledged in his speech.
 
Ivan Melnikov ratified the solidarity with our country, deepened on other national and international current issues, and pointed out the willingness to continue strengthening inter-parliamentary and inter-party ties.
 
Later, Esteban Lazo had a dialogue with Dmitry Chernyshenko, deputy prime minister and co-chairman of the Russian-Cuban Intergovernmental Commission. Both sides highlighted the vast potential for further strengthening economic-commercial and scientific-technical collaboration.

The head of the Cuban legislature reiterated the importance of holding the XIX Session of the Intergovernmental Commission in Moscow and the excellent meeting with President Díaz˗Canel, held recently.
 
Finally, he expressed gratitude to the Russian Government for the donations received in the face of COVID˗19 and the consequences of Hurricane Ian.
 
Later, the Speaker of the National Assembly had a fruitful exchange with the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev. "It is always of great satisfaction to meet with friends from the Russian Federation, a country with which we are united by a long history of brotherly relations, which the Revolution and the Cuban people never forget," he said at the beginning of the meeting.

They agreed that, in the face of challenges and sanctions, ways should be sought to strengthen economic relations and expand political dialogue for the benefit of both peoples.
 
The last meeting of the day was with Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia. "We express our gratitude for the condemnation of the blockade in numerous tribunes and in the General Assembly of the United Nations. Likewise, we are grateful for Russia's rejection of the inclusion of my nation in the spurious, illegal and unilateral list drawn up by the United States of countries that are allegedly sponsors of terrorism".

He referred to the willingness to expand and strengthen inter-parliamentary relations. In this sense, he emphasized that with the Federation Council "we coordinate interests and future activities, while with the Duma we signed a collaboration agreement, which establishes the creation by both parties of commissions in charge of promoting bilateral relations".