HAVANA, Cuba.- Manuel Pichardo, president of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), said on Monday in this capital that the objective of his organization has always been a rapprochement with Cuba, as part of the process of integration the region is living.

His statements to the press took place after the cordial meeting he held in Havana with Cuban Parliament president Ricardo Alarcon.

Pichardo commented that this meeting is the expression of that wish, and highlighted the stance of PARLACEN members, along with those of their counterparts of PARLASUR (Parliament of MERCOSUR) and PARLANDINO (Andean Parliament), in favor including the island in all debates, summits and forums held in the hemisphere.

As part of his visit, that began on Saturday and will end on Wednesday, Pichardo and his accompanying delegation went to central Villa Clara province and toured the “Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara” Memorial Complex.

In Havana, they held talks with Jose Ramon Balaguer, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party, and on Tuesday they will take part in the historic May 1st parade, which, like every year, is organized to celebrate International Workers Day.