Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Sergey Lebedev, became interested in the issue of economic blockade against Cuba, reported diplomatic sources.

  Lebedev welcomed in the permanent venues of this regional organization in this city the Cuban Ambassador, Alfredo Nieves Portuondo, with whom he discussed the relations between Cuba and the CIS.

Nieves Portuondo appreciated the support that Cuba receives from the eleven nations that comprise the governmental institution in the fight to stop the economic and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba for more than 50 years.

The blockade has cost over 975 billion USD and is the main obstacle to economic and social development of Cuban people and a flagrant violation of rights.

Also, the Caribbean diplomat spoke about the importance of international solidarity in the struggle to free the Cuban Five imprisoned for 13 years in U.S. jails.

For his part, Lebedev described as excellent the ties of the CIS with Cuba and called for strengthening them.

In the meeting the parties exchanged views on closer cooperation between Cuba and the regional organization at various levels, both bilateral and in the multilateral arena.