Havana, April 23 (RHC) – European Union and Cuban experts are exchanging their experiences on economic and commercial issues during a forum in Havana as part of bilateral collaboration actions begun in 2008.

The EU-Cuba Experts Exchange Program forum covers a wide range of topics including tax administration, economic models, EU trade regulations, international economic cooperation, food security and environment, among others.

The forum will help support the economic reforms spearheaded by Cuban leader, Raul Castro, said Herman Portocarero, EU's ambassador to Cuba.

"We are always able to work together in cooperation. It is a learning process that will serve us in the political dialogue that is about to begin," Portocarero said.

Meanwhile, the director of commercial policy with Europe at the Foreign Trade and Investment Ministry, Raul Becerra, stressed collaboration with the European Union in food security, the environment, renewable energy, culture and the prevention of natural disasters.

The development comes as the European union last February initiated a process of rapprochement by proposing dialogue between the two, to which Cuba agreed in March.

As part of the renewal of ties French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, visited Cuba on April 12, marking the first visit by a high-ranking French official to the Caribbean country since 1982.