MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. Strengthening relations with Havana is an unconditional foreign policy priority for Moscow, Russian Federation Council (the upper house of parliament) Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said.

"Long-term close cooperation between our countries is based on good and trust-based bilateral relations. Ensuring their steady expansion and strengthening is Russia’s unconditional foreign policy," she pointed out in a message to Cuban National Assembly President Juan Esteban Lazo Hernandez on Cuba’s Liberation Day.

The Russian senate speaker emphasized the importance of consolidating the efforts of those supporting the formation of a fair world order to resolve pressing issues, respond to emerging threats and challenges and ensure regional and global stability.

According to Matviyenko, active political dialogue facilitates Russian-Cuban ties in all areas.