Panama for Stronger Links with Cuba CUBA, March 16, 2009. Panamanian First Vice President and Foreign Minister, Samuel Lewis, ratified on Monday his country"s commitment to continue strengthening relations with Cuba in a meeting with President of the Cuban Parliament Ricardo Alarcon. Lewis, who arrived in Havana on Sunday for a state visit, explained that his trip is also an expression of long-standing fraternal relations between the two peoples. In his visit to the headquarters of the National Assembly of the People"s Power (Cuban Parliament), the Panamanian official said that one of the objectives is to sign with relevant Cuban authorities an agreement to boost bilateral trade. The meeting was also attended by Panamanian Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade Severo Souza, who said that the agreement includes mutual preferential treatment regarding tariffs, mainly for food and construction materials. He described the agreement as a positive step in the constant strengthening of existing links. Alarcon welcomed the Panamanian delegation and stressed Cuba"s satisfaction for receiving Vice President Lewis on his seventh visit to the Island. (Cubaminrex- PL) |