Cuban President Raul Castro hailed Saturday the removal of an "obstacle" in US-Cuba relations, saying he was ready to discuss any topic with Washington after the historic bilateral rapprochement.

Cuban President Raul Castro hailed Saturday the removal of an "obstacle" in US-Cuba relations, saying he was ready to discuss any topic with Washington after the historic bilateral rapprochement.

"The Cuban people cheer this correct decision of US President Barack Obama. It represents the removal of an obstacle in relations between our countries," he said in a speech closing chaired the twice-yearly meeting of parliament.