Raul Receives President of Lao People's Democratic Republic

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 2 (acn) Army General Raul Castro, President of the councils of State and Ministers, received Choummaly Sayasone, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
and Secretary General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, who is on an official visit to the Caribbean island.

During the meeting, held in a fraternal atmosphere at Havana's Revolution Palace on Friday, they verified the close political links uniting the two nations, and reiterated their willingness to continue deepening cooperation bonds. In addition, they spoke about various topics on the international agenda.
At the end of the official talks, and in the presence of the two delegations, Raul presented the Laotian leader with the José Marti National Order, the top award given by the Republic of Cuba.
The distinguished visitor was accompanied by Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Doctor Sounthone Xayachack, president of the Commission of Foreign Affairs of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; Phongsavath Boupha, Minister-head of the President's Office, and ambassador Buakeo Phumvongsay.
Also representing Cuba at the meeting were Mercedes Lopez, Politburo member and Vice-president of the Council of State; Marcelino Medina, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs; Jose Ramon Balaguer, head of the Department of International Relations of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party; Jorge Rey, appointed ambassador of that nation of Southeast Asia, and other officials of the Foreign Ministry.