Cuba-US Bilateral Commission set to meet for 1st time

HAVANA - The Cuba-United States Bilateral Commission will meet for the first time Friday in Havana, Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

"At this meeting, the delegations of the two countries will define the agenda of issues to be addressed following the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States on July 20," said a statement published on the Ministry's website.

It noted that the Commission "will discuss new areas of cooperation beneficial to both countries as well as bilateral and multilateral issues, including those unresolved...between Cuba and the United States."

The delegations will be led by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South America and Cuba, Alex Lee, and the Director of US Affairs at the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Josefina Vidal.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez announced the creation of the Bilateral Commission on Aug 14 when the top US diplomat made a visit to Cuba.