The government of Panama issued a note today highlighting the importance of the meeting between its foreign minister, Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado and the President of Cuba, Raúl Castro.

The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Council of State in Havana, during which both governments expressed their interest in reviving a bilateral agenda.

Specifically, De Saint Malo expressed the importance of strengthening and expanding cooperation.

President Raul Castro and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez proposed triangular cooperation agreements that benefit Caribbean countries, identifying areas and specific needs of the region.

Another item on the agenda, the note added, was the revitalization of economic and trade relations, with the opening of a new air route between Panama and Villa Clara.

Likewise, the existing partial accord between Cuba and Panama will provide a space for enhancing already existing trade between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry said.

It also reports that Cuba and Panama organized a meeting to mark a cooperative agenda for the next five years, reactivating existing agreements, but also expanding and developing new collaboration in areas like health, literacy, sports, agriculture, maritime and logistics.

De Saint Malo concluded her official one day visit yesterday to Cuba, described it while she was still in Havana as very productive, beautiful, and an effort to improve the connections between the two neighbor countries, with longstanding friendly relations.