Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President of the Councils of State and Ministers, yesterday May 16, received the honorable José Manuel García-Margallo Marfil, Spanish minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, who is making an official visit to the country.

Discussed during the meeting were the positive relations existent between the two nations, and the shared desire to continue working to strengthen ties. The two leaders also noted the recent signing in Madrid of agreements to favorably restructure Cuba's medium and long term debt to Spain, and addressed other issues on the international agenda.

The distinguished guest was accompanied by Ana Pastor Julián, minister of Development; Pablo Gómez de Olea Bustinza, the Foreign Ministry's director general for Iberoamérica; and Spain's ambassador in Cuba, Juan Francisco Montalbán Carrasco.

Also articipating on the Cuban side were Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, a Council of Ministers vice president; Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; and Rogelio Sierra Díaz, deputy Foreign Minister.

The Spanish minister had previously met with his Cuban counterpart, as well Cabrisas and Malmierca.