Caracas, February 11 (RHC) -- Venezuela and Cuba are discussing new industrial cooperation, with special emphasis in energy and petro-chemical areas, according to reports after the meeting between the ministries from both countries.

Industries Minister Jose David Cabello and his Cuban counterpart Salvador Pardo, reviewed the current accords and discussed other prospects to strengthen them. Health Minister Nancy Perez also talked with Pardo to establish bilateral accords aimed at improving hospital services and contribute to resolve the Venezuelan's requirements in that sector.

One of the items discussed were the projects on prevention and maintenance between both nations, with regard to investment and training of technicians and specialists, the Venezuelan minister stressed. The care and repair of boilers, furnishings, steam lines, among other issues on infrastructure, were also the focus of conversations in Caracas.

According to Pardo, the meeting was very positive and Cuba has great expectations of continuing this work in the future. Since the year 2000, the framework collaboration agreement between Havana and Caracas includes the industrial, petro-chemical, mining, agricultural and health sphere.

About 56 new agreements were signed in 2014 in energy, oil, health, agriculture, education and sports areas, amounting to about $1.2 billion USD, according to official figures.