The top diplomats of Cuba and Mexico met Thursday in Havana in an effort to improve relations between the two countries.

Mexico's Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa, with Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque after signing bi-lateral agreement in Havana, 13 Mar 2008

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque hosted his Mexican counterpart, Patricia Espinosa, in the Cuban capital.

Espinosa said she hoped the meetings with top officials of new Cuban President Raul Castro's administration would improve ties, which suffered under both nations' previous administrations.

Mexico and Cuba had maintained good diplomatic relations until former Mexican President Vicente Fox came into office.

Mr. Fox and former Cuban President Fidel Castro publicly criticized each other and the countries' diplomatic ties began to unravel.

Perez Roque expressed hope that Thursday's meeting would mark "a new chapter" of cooperation between the two countries.

Officials say Mexican President Felipe Calderon wants warmer ties with Cuba.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.