Accompanied by First Vice President Raul Castro and speaking with reporters at Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport before returning to Brazil on Tuesday night after a one-day official visit to the island, Lula da Silva explained that he met with the leader of the Cuban Revolution for more than two hours in which they spoke about as many topics as possible. "He spoke for two hours and I did it only for half an hour," he joked.

"I think that he will soon be completely recovered physically and he will be ready to continue his political role on the island and in the history of humanity," Lula predicted.

After expressing his satisfaction for this official visit to the island, the Brazilian head of state highlighted the passion that his generation feels for the Cuban Revolution and the integration of Latin America.

He noted that Brazil has a regional responsibility as it has the biggest economy, population and technical and scientific knowledge of the sub-continent, which forces his country to contribute more to the development of this part of the world.

Lula added that he was very pleased with his meetings with Fidel and Raul and also with the bilateral accords signed during his visit that will enhance Brazil’s possibilities to invest in Cuba and will improve relations between the two governments.

He stressed that these efforts are part of a Brazilian strategy to pay more attention to South America, and to Latin America and the Caribbean in general.

He also announced that he extended an invitation to Cuban First Vice President Raul Castro to visit Brazil.

"The results have been excellent and I totally agree with President Lula," said Raul before seeing off the Brazilian head of state.