Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrived Friday in Havana on the first leg of a historic Latin American tour and was welcomed at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport shortly after 5: 30 am by Cuban First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel and members of the Russian embassy.

During his stay here, Vladimir Putin will hold official talks with President Raul Castro, among other activities.

The high-level meetings will focus on bilateral economic and commercial relations, investment and prospects for joint projects in sectors such as energy, transport, civil aviation, the peaceful use of outer space and health. The signing of documents in different areas of bilateral collaboration is also on the Russian President’s agenda.

Moscow and Havana are focusing on the expansion of economic, commercial and scientific collaboration under the Inter-governmental program adopted by both countries with projections through 2020.

Putin will also visit Argentina next, and Brazil from July 13-16, where he will participate in the 6th Summit of the BRICS Group in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza.

Before Leaving Moscow for Havana, Putin said that Cuba is one of Russia’s strategic partners in Latin America.