The Cuban diplomatic head praised the work of the legislators to achieve the approval in 2016 of a resolution against the U.S. blockade, as well as the demand, in 2014, to the then President Barack Obama, to free three Cubans imprisoned in U.S. jails.

With the support of all political parties represented at the Assembly, this provision, endorsed on October 21st, demanded the end of the long-running U.S. siege, as well as the so-called Common Position of the European Union (EU).

Rodriguez alluded at that meeting the work carried out by that group in the Portuguese legislative chamber to boost relations between the two countries.

He asked to maintain solidarity to continue demanding the cessation of the economic, commercial and financial siege imposed by Washington on Havana for more than 50 years.

He also asked the legislators for their contribution to achieve the ratification in the Portuguese parliament of the Agreement on Political Dialogue and Cooperation, signed between Cuba and the EU in December 2016, the Caribbean embassy said.

The members of the friendship group expressed their willingness to continue supporting the bilateral ties in all spheres, as well as the need to end unilateral sanctions in the United States and obtain parliamentary endorsement to the EU-Cuba agreement.

During his stay in Lisbon, Rodriguez spoke with leaders of friendly Portuguese organizations in Cuba, the news release said.

Mayors, representatives of institutions and non-governmental organizations and members of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Portugal, attended the meeting.

Members of the Portuguese Friendship Association with Cuba, the Portuguese Association for Peace and Cooperation, the Portugal-Cuba Chamber of Commerce and Cuban residents here, also participated.

The foreign minister thanked everyone for the solidarity with his country, which, he stressed, was very important so that Cuba continue and develop until today, a friendship that was maintained in the most difficult times experienced by our people, he emphasized.