By RIA Novosti
Mexico : Cuba’s minister of government said Havana and Russia need to overcome past differences in their relationship and boost trade links, a Cuban news agency reported on Tuesday.
Ricardo Cabrisas said during the first session in eight years of a bilateral intergovernmental commission in Havana attended by Russia’s Transportation Minister Igor Levitin, that he hoped Moscow shared his views, Prensa Latina reported.
Levitin, in his turn, told the commission that bilateral trade in 2007 reached $363 million, and the visit by the Russian delegation was aimed at finding new mechanisms to expand trade and economic ties, adding that Russia is interested in developing commercial ties with Cuba.
Cabrisas also expressed hope that the planned signing of a number of bilateral documents on Thursday would strengthen the work of the commission.
Raul Castro, who became president after his ailing-brother, Fidel, stepped down in February, said shortly after being elected that he was willing to introduce moderate economic reforms in Cuba, but insisted that he would not deviate from the path of socialism.
Last week a Cuban telecommunications company said they would be expanding their services after restrictions on the use of cell phones were lifted in the country.
And in mid-March Cuba lifted a ban on private farmers buying agricultural equipment in a sign that Havana wants to increase food production. The move followed the easing of restrictions on the sale of household appliances and electronic equipment for Cubans.