The head of the Cuban delegation, VP Ricardo Cabrisas, passed on greetings from Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, from President Raul Castro, and from the Cuban people.

He said this meeting has been preceded by intense working sessions that aim at strengthening the policy of economic integration upon which both countries have previously agreed.

He also reiterated Cuba’s willingness to support the Venezuelan people and Government in their struggle to recover from the effects of meteorological phenomena.

Meanwhile, the co-president of the Commission, Venezuelan VP Rafael Ramirez, spoke of the history, roots and common future of the bilateral cooperation begun by commanders Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez on October 30, 2000, which has continued with Cuban President Raul Castro’s full support.

Ramirez said that both sides would analyze the achievements, difficulties and current state of 283 projects part of the Cooperation Program for 2011 and others that will strengthen this bilateral ties.

Regarding the Commission’s work, the Venezuelan Minister of Electric Energy, Ali Rodriguez, said that it is a process based on economic complementation, cooperation, solidarity, and respect for sovereignty.

He noted that some of the main projects included in the program are those in the health, education and production sectors.