Above: the meeting in Havana

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Mexico Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade Kuribreña has concluded a visit to Cuba that included a meeting with Cuban leader Raul Castro.

In a statement, Cuba’s government characterized the meeting as “friendly,” covering “issues of bilateral interest” and the performance of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, which Cuba currently chairs.

Kuribreña also met with Cuba Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, vice president of Cuba’s Council of Ministers.

The Foreign Minister said that Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto had made establishing a closer relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean one of his foreign policy priorities.

Mexico and Cuba agreed to “continue the dialogue” and hold a series of meetings to discuss the remaining issues on their bilateral agenda, including migration issues and economic cooperation.

Last year, trade between Cuba and Mexico totaled $403.6 million.