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 co-operation 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.