Havana, December 14 (RHC)-- Latin American and Caribbean integration is now more necessary than ever, and that idea will be one of the guidelines of the 16th session of the ALBA-TCP Political Council which will be held this Thursday in the Cuban capital.

According to Granma, during the meeting the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People´s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) will reinforce its unity and capacity for consensus.

It will also continue the path set by Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez in order to defend the what Jose Marti called “Our America” and will reaffirm the principle that Latin America and the Caribbean should remain a Zone of Peace.

The 16th Political Council will also support the sovereignty and self-determination of Venezuela, against the constant media attacks of the opposition.

Meanwhile, the 18th Intergovernmental Commission between Cuba and Venezuela will also be held this Thursday, to review bilateral collaboration and establish guidelines for cooperation in 2018.

The previous meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission was held in December last year in Caracas.

Collaboration between Cuba and Venezuela has been steady and sustained for almost 17 years within the framework of the Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement, created and signed by Commanders Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro, on October 30, 2000.