Russia, Cuba switching to settlements in rubles

HAVANA. May 19 (Interfax) - Russia is coming to an agreement on the format of Russian banks' work in Cuba and a switch to settlements on projects in rubles, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said.

"We are coming to an agreement on the format of Russian banks' work in Cuba, switching to settlements on projects in rubles," Chernyshenko said, opening a meeting of the Russia-Cuba intergovernmental commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation.

He also said that bank machines in Cuba started accepting Russia's Mir cards in March. "We expect that very soon it will be possible to pay in stores, cafes and restaurants with the Russian cards," Chernyshenko said.