Cuba, US agree on need to cooperate on security

Cuba, US agree on need to cooperate on security

Havana (AFP) - The United States and Cuba have agreed on the need to
cooperate on security issues surrounding trade and travel between the
two former Cold War foes, the communist party newspaper Granma said
Thursday.

US Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas held talks
Wednesday with Cuba's recently named Interior Minister Major General
Carlos Fernandez Gondin, the latest in a series contacts since the two
countries restored diplomatic relations in July.

"During the meeting there was agreement on the need to give substance to
bilateral cooperation with the goal of providing greater security to the
citizens of both countries and other nations," Granma said.

Mayorkas, the highest ranking Cuban-American in US President Barack
Obama's administration, was expected to meet Thursday with officials at
the Transport and Foreign Ministries.

He was accompanied by US Commissioner for Customs and Border Enforcement
Gil Kerlikowske.

The Obama administration has eased restrictions on trade and travel with
Cuba, but the US trade embargo remains in place, complicating the
rapprochement.

Also in Cuba for a separate set of talks is Todd Stern, the US State
Department's special envoy for climate change, who met with interim
Foreign Minister Marcelino Medina.

Stern is also scheduled to meet with Science, Technology and Environment
Minister Elba Rosa Perez and Energy and Mines Minister Alfredo Lopez Valdes.

Source: Cuba, US agree on need to cooperate on security - Yahoo News -
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