Cuban and European diplomats announced important advancements, particularly in the chapter of trade, during the fifth round of negotiations towards a bilateral accord for political and cooperation dialog, held this week in Havana.

Juan Carlos Varela, president of the Republic of Panama, made a donation in this capital on Thursday to the Solidarity with Panama special education school for children with physical and motor limitations, which he toured as part of his visit to Cuba.

Cuban President Raul Castro received this morning in Havana his Panamanian counterpart Juan Carlos Varela who is on a four-day official visit, along a large business delegation.

Members of the CARICOM Science, Technology and Innovation Committee will visit Cuba September 14-17 to explore opportunities for cooperation in the field, according to Grenadian media.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, who is on a four-day official visit to Cuba, said that his country looks forwards to strengthen bilateral relations with the people and government of Cuba.

With the declared aim of promoting and increasing trade links between Cuba and Panama, the President of the Republic of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, arrived in this capital on an official visit.

An official note by the Cuban government was issued today, which points out that the Council of State, at the suggestion of its President, agreed to remove Cesar Ignacio Arocha from his post of Minister of Transport, who will be replaced by Adel Yzquierdo, current First Deputy Minister of the Minister of Planning and the Economy.

Staff members of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) met this week with directives of the University of Havana to consider ways for bilateral collaboration.

Panama´s President Juan Carlos Varela is expected to arrive in Havana Wednesday on an official visit which includes talks with President Raul Castro.

The first meeting of the Cuba-U.S.A Bilateral Commission will be held in this capital on Friday, September 11, the creation of which was announced by the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez, and the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, during the visit of the latter to Havana on August 14, the Foreign Ministry informed.

The Basilica of El Cobre located in the province of Santiago de Cuba is getting ready to welcome Pope Francis and will offer a mass on September 22nd in the church located 18 kilometers from the center of the city.

The English language will be a major requirement for Cuban university graduates in the near future, said Higher Education Minister Rodolfo Alarcon in a recent news conference.

Cuban President Raul Castro sent the National Ballet of Cuba a letter appreciating a recent ballet piece in homage to heroine Vilma Espin and the Cuban Women´s Federation.

The president of the Cuban Friendship Institute, Kenia Serrano, said that the fight against the over-50-year US economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba is top priority for solidarity actions with the island.

Esteban Lazo, President of the National Assembly of the People's Power, received Teresa Efua Asangono, President of the Senate of Equatorial Guinea, on Monday.