OREANDA-NEWS  The leaders of Russia and Cuba held official talks in Friday. The atmosphere of the talks with the Chairman of the state Council and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudes was friendly, businesslike and constructive, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The atmosphere of the meeting was friendly, businesslike and constructive. This is a distinctive feature of the Russian-Cuban dialogue. Our peoples have strong ties of long — term friendship, mutual sympathy, respect and solidarity," Putin said after the Russian-Cuban talks.

The Russian President also noted that during the talks the sides discussed issues of cooperation between the countries, as well as topical issues of the international and regional agenda.

Referring to economic issues, the head of the Kremlin noted that at the end of last year, bilateral trade increased by 17%, measures are being taken to increase and expand investment cooperation.

The Russian President believes that Russian oil supplies make a significant contribution to the Cuban economy and guarantee its energy security.

Putin stressed that the Russian Federation plans to place on the island of Freedom ground station of the Russian GLONASS system.

During the talks, Moscow offered Havana its assistance in updating the railway network, which, according to experts, will lead to an increase in passenger traffic in Cuba three times, and cargo traffic twice.

The Cuban leader is in Russia on an official visit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Diaz-Kanel' has arrived in Russia on Thursday. The official visit will last until November 3-talks with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev are scheduled for Saturday.