Visiting European Union (EU) commissioner Louis Michel said in Havana Saturday that his meeting with Cuban leader Fidel Castro was very effective.

The Cuban leader shared EU's interest in strengthening ties andtackling sensitive issues such as human rights and the island's political prisoners, Michel said after four-hour talks with Castro.

Michel's visit came as Cuba campaigns to rally support for its annual fight against a US-backed resolution on its human rights record. The resolution will be voted on next month at the meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission.

The two discussed all issues, including the difficult and sensitive ones, and there is a common interest to relaunch a political dialogue, said Michel, who said he had a " very good impression" of Castro.

The issue of human rights has strained Cuba-EU relations for several years.

Two years ago, the EU imposed sanctions against Cuba after Havana sentenced 75 activists to long prison terms.

But a new chapter was opened earlier this year when European nations temporarily lifted the sanctions, partly in response to Cuba's release last year of some of the prisoners. The EU will consider whether to re-impose the sanctions in this summer.

Michel's visit coincided with a weeklong trip here by a dozen EU lawmakers, who also met with senior Cuban leaders.

Miguel Martinez, head of the legislative group, said Saturday at a press conference he had great expectations for the EU-Cuba relations and that the EU wants to advance its relations with Havana.

He said he had found among Cuban leaders "flexibility, comprehension, common sense and a will to continue with contacts."

Martinez expressed sympathy for the Cuban government, saying itfaced discrimination on many levels.

The Spanish lawmaker highlighted the importance of EU-Cuba relations, warning poor bilateral relations will be "negative to everyone."

In regard to the EU review in June on its sanctions against Cuba, Martinez said there is no way to re-introduce the sanctions "due to their own absurd weight."

Source: Xinhua