Morales and Chavez in Cuba

Bolivia's President Evo Morales and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez are starting Friday a visit to Cuba and will be welcomed by President Fidel Castro.

Their arrival to Havana coincides with the first anniversary of the signing of agreements between Cuba and Venezuela for the implementation of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA).

According to a note published by Granma newspaper, the aim of the visit is to sign documents allowing Bolivia's adherence to that integration model.

Such documents, states the daily, depict Morales' ideas on the Trade Agreements for the Peoples (TCP, in Spanish).

The ALBA, points out Granma, is an integration model based on cooperation, solidarity and common will, and seeks to satisfy the Latin American and Caribbean countries' needs and desires and preserve independence, sovereignty and identity.

Morales and Chavez' visit will reassert the three governments' willingness to continue working together for regional integration and strengthen excellent ties of friendship and solidarity among Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia, the source reports.

Chavez and Morales are coming accompanied by their countries' delegations of ministers, their government's top officials and other figures.