Havana, Feb 22 (AIN) Felipe Payano, the Dominican Republic's Minister of State for Sports, Physical Education and Recreation, arrived in Havana on Monday to increase cooperation between the two Caribbean nations.

The former basketball player was welcomed by the President of Cuba's National Sports Institute, Humberto Rodriguez at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport.

The official stated that his delegation is here on direct instructions from President Leonel Fernandez to sign an accord aimed at improving the sports infrastructure in the Dominican Republic. He added that his country enjoys many quality sports facilities, but lacks sports specialists; an area that Cuban technicians can greatly improve.

For his part, Humberto Rodriquez confirmed Cuba's commitment to strengthening relations with the Dominican Republic and cited his institutions contribution to the organization of the 2003 Pan American Games held in the Caribbean nation.

During his stay in Cuba, Payano will visit the International Sports Institute-where 52 Dominican students are currently enrolled-, the Cerro Pelado Institute for High Performance Athletes and the island's anti-doping control laboratory.