(VOVworld) - Cuban President Raúl Castro told parliament on Saturday the country will face a “long and difficult struggle” before the US removes its economic embargo, despite the historic agreement this week to restore diplomatic ties.

US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro (Photo: Reuters)

Mr. Raul Castro added this is not only aspiration of Cuban people but also the demand of the world community and every US’s social strata. The President said he hoped President Barack Obama to use the executive right to have adjustment to the embargo which does not need the approval from the US Congress. He admitted that President Obama also suffered from much criticism from those who do not want the normalization of Cuba-US relations. President Raul Castro said Cuba will never give up its revolutionary ideology that it has pursued for over half a century and is ready to have dialogue on any issues based on equality and mutual benefits.