Visiting former US president Jimmy Carter has met with Cuban President Raul Castro at the Government Palace in Havana. During talks on Tuesday, they exchanged views on improving bilateral ties and international affairs.

Castro and Carter held talks in the presence of media before the closed door meeting. The Cuban president reaffirmed Cuba's desire for dialogue with the US, but it should be based on mutual respect and the respect for independence and sovereignty. He also wants the US to release five Cubans convicted of being unregistered foreign agents.

Washington and Havana have not had formal diplomatic relations since the 1960s, and the US maintains economic and financial sanctions against the country.