HAVANA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cuban leader Raul Castro met with visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin on Saturday to discuss bilateral ties and further cooperation, local media reported Sunday.

    The two discussed issues of bilateral interest and the current global financial meltdown, the reports said.

    The meeting between Castro and Sechin was followed by the signing of nine agreements, in which Russia agreed to grant state credit worth 20 million U.S. dollars to Cuba.

    The two sides also pledged to enhance cooperation in the petroleum and nickel industries.

    Castro reiterated his gratitude for the timely material aid offered by the Russian government and people in the wake of hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which caused financial losses worth some 8.6 billion U.S. dollars.

    Russia was one of the first countries to send humanitarian aid to Cuba after the hurricanes hit the Caribbean country in late August.