HAVANA, July 24 -- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov pledged on Wednesday to strengthen bilateral political and trade ties amid a "difficult international situation," particularly growing U.S. hostility towards both nations.

In a press conference after holding a private 90-minute meeting, Lavrov and Rodriguez said they talked about "strategic bilateral and international issues" and agreed to continuously deepen links between Havana and Moscow.

"This visit will provide a strong boost to our ties, reinforce our common positions on the international agenda and allow better coordination towards increasing economic, commercial and investment cooperation as well as tourism," said Rodriguez.

They also agreed to step up political consultations and joint collaboration in international organizations, particularly in the United Nations system.

"We will make efforts based on what was discussed to confront this epidemic of unilateral coercive measures that constitute a flagrant violation of international law ... and generate threats to peace and international security with the extraterritorial imposition of sanctions by the U.S.," he stated.

Lavrov criticized certain policies of U.S. President Donald Trump that "undermine" Washington's relations with the world, a strategy that affects the economic interests of the United States.

"We reject attempts to impose their own values and traditions on any country that do not always reflect the values of other civilizations or other people," he said.

He also questioned Washington's role in weakening multilateral cooperation and organizations.

Regarding recent U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba, Lavrov pledged support for the Caribbean nation's determination to have its own political system and modernize its economy.

His visit to the Caribbean nation is the first leg of a three-nation Latin American tour that will also take him to Brazil and Suriname.