Havana, October 29 (RHC)-- The Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, is paying a visit to Cuba. On Wednesday, the U.S. official held talks with Cuban Interior Minister Division General Carlos Fernandez Gondin.

According to this morning's edition of Granma newspaper, the official talks took place in a constructive and respectful atmosphere and with coinciding viewpoints by the two officials on the need to implement bilateral cooperation to guarantee higher safety for the citizens of Cuba and the United States.

Mayorkas arrived in Havana on Tuesday and his visit is considered part of U.S.-Cuba efforts to advance the process aimed at the normalization of bilateral relations.

Mayorkas is accompanied by Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikwoske, in charge of supervising the protection of U.S. Customs and borders, and by other high-level Homeland Security officials.

During his stay in Cuba, the U.S. government official will also meet with Cuban authorities from the Ministries of Transportation and Foreign Affairs.

According to a report published in The Los Angeles Times, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security hopes to work with Cuban authorities to expand security screening as airports and harbors open to U.S. planes and ships.

The U.S. deputy secretary will meet senior customs and airport officials in Havana in an effort to better coordinate a proposed passenger ferry service between the Cuban capital and Miami, as well as increased flights and cargo shipments between the two countries.