Paris-Senior parliamentary representatives from Cuba and Belgium have confirmed the favorable development of bilateral relations between the two countries and pledged to revive historical ties between the two legislative bodies, diplomatic sources report today.

The comments came during the visit to the Belgian Federal Parliament by a Cuban delegation led by vice-president of the National Assembly of the People's Power, Ana Maria Mari Machado.

The representatives of the Caribbean nation were received by the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Siegfried Bracke, and the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Dirk Van der Maelen.

They also met with the vice president of the Interparliamentary Friendship Group with Cuba, Phlippe Goffin.

During the meetings, the Cuban legislators explained some of the details of Havana's relationship with the United States to their Belgian colleagues.

They said that the normalization of relations between the two nations is dependent on the end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by Washington on the Caribbean island for more than 50 years.

The parliamentary delegation, also composed of legislators Yolanda Ferrer and Lazaro Barredo, yesterday started a broad agenda that includes activities in Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as at the headquarters of the European Parliament.