Raul Castro meets with Russian deputy premier

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban President Raul Castro met on Thursday with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin who is in Cuba seeking to strengthen ties between the former Cold War allies.

The two met in a "cordial and friendly" atmosphere in which they emphasized interest in broadening "the process of reactivation of economic ties," said Cuban news agency Prensa Latina.

Also in the meeting was Russian Gen. Nikolai Patrushev, head of the Federal Security Service, which helps coordinate Russian national security policy, Prensa Latina said.

Sechin arrived in Havana on Wednesday for a three-day visit to discuss business opportunities that, according to press reports, include the participation of Russian companies in developing Cuban oilfields and upgrading Cuban refineries.

The Soviet Union was Cuba's main benefactor during the Cold War. Its collapse in 1991 dealt a devastating blow to the Cuban economy.

They renewed relations in 2006 when Russia extended Cuba a credit of $355 million to purchase goods and improve its energy infrastructure.

Cuba agreed to spend $100 million a year buying Russian aircraft for its commercial fleet.

The Sechin visit followed news reports that Russia, angry at a U.S. plan to put a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, might use Cuba as a refueling stop for nuclear-capable bombers.

The reports evoked memories of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis when the United States and Russia faced each other down after Soviet missiles were placed on the island 90 miles (144 km) from Florida.

(Reporting by Esteban Israel; Editing by Jeff Franks and Peter Cooney)