Visiting Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov on Wednesday highlighted his talks with Cuban President Fidel Castro who, he said, was determined to strengthen the historical relations between the two nations.

Lavrov told a press conference that his three-hour meeting withCastro, held late Tuesday, was very useful and interesting.

"We have a better idea on how to solve problems and increase our ties," he said.

Lavrov is scheduled to hold talks later with Ricardo Alarcon, president of the National Assembly of the Popular Power (Cuba's unicameral parliament), shortly before completing his two-day visit to this Caribbean country.

During his stay here, Lavrov also held talks with Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage. He told his host that Moscow is very interested in developing bilateral exchanges in various sectors.

Lage expressed satisfaction over the visit which, he said, confirms the will of both governments and peoples to develop bilateral relations.

Earlier, Lavrov and his Cuban counterpart Felipe Perez Roque issued a joint declaration, which said both Cuba and Russia agreedthat the method to respond to crisis and conflicts has to come through the United Nations and be based on international law.

Lavrov arrived in Havana on Tuesday to start his first Latin American tour since he was appointed as foreign minister last March

Russia and Cuba established diplomatic relations in May 1960. According to official sources, Russia is one of Cuba's most important trade partners. E

Source: Xinhua