Cuban and French parliaments to strengthen ties

HAVANA, Cuba, Sep 12 (ACN) Esteban Lazo Hernandez, president of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba, ratified the willingness to expand and strengthen relations with the French Parliament through the commissions of both legislative bodies and their respective friendship groups.

Receiving on Monday at the National Capitol a congressional delegation from the National Assembly of France, the president of the Council of State also stressed the importance of the visit to achieve that goal.

As reported by the island's Parliament on its website, the French delegation is headed by Andre Chassaigne, president of the Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Eric Coquerel, head of the Finance Committee of the French legislature.

Homero Acosta Alvarez, secretary of the National Assembly of Cuba, said that this parliamentary group of the French National Assembly has traditionally been one of the most active in relations with Cuba's legislature.

Andre Chassaigne underscored his solidarity with the island, especially in the struggle against the U.S. blockade.

European nation delegation was also composed of parliamentarians Jean-Pierre Cubertafon and Roger Chudeau, as well as Philippe-Etienne Dumas, secretary of the Cuba Friendship Group.

Cuban side was represented by Tamara Valido Benitez, head of the Services Commission, and Jesus Rafael Mora Gonzalez, General Director of International Relations of the National Assembly.