(Trinidad Express) With only 18 days before the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Prime Minister Patrick Manning has struck a positive note with Cuban President Raul Castro that could set the tone to move Cuba closer to the Latin American and Caribbean integration process.

Manning invited Castro to visit Trinidad and Tobago [whenever he felt appropriate]. No date has been set thus far, but the Cuba issue is fast becoming the focus of attention for the upcoming summit.

The story relating to the invitation was published in Cuba’s government-owned newspaper, Granma, on Monday.

Manning, who will host 33 leaders in the Americas at the April 17-19 summit, met with President Castro on Sunday and discussed a wide range of issues, including the need for Latin American and Caribbean integration embracing communist Cuba, according to Granma.