Cuba-Panama Sign Commercial Accord

HAVANA TIMES, March 17.— Cuba and Panama signed a new commercial accord on Monday in Havana with Panamanian Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis on hand for the ceremony. Lewis said the agreement would increase transactions of goods and services between the two nations, which is expected to double, reported IPS.

Relations between Panama and Cuba have picked up steam since Martin Torrijos became president. The son of former president Omar Torrijos has visited Cuba five times, the last in January of this year.

The Panamanian leader also met on Monday with Cuban President Raul Castro.

Cuba and Panama restored diplomatic ties in August 2005, when Martin Torrijos attended the first graduation of Panamanian students in Havana’s Latin American School of Medical Sciences (ELAM).