MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Cuba continues to be Russia’s most reliable ally in Latin America, speaker of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Sergei Naryshkin said at a meeting with President of the Cuban National Assembly of People’s Power (parliament) Esteban Lazo Hernandez on Thursday.

"Cuba remains our strong and reliable partner in Latin America and the Caribbean," he said. According to Naryshkin, Russia is "satisfied the level of multifaceted cooperation between our two countries, which fully reflects the strategic nature of relations between Russia and Cuba."

The speaker drew attention to the intensification of political contacts at the highest level. He added that Russia "appreciates the fact that the historic meeting between Patriarch (Kirill -TASS) of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Francis was held in Havana.".