OREANDA-NEWS. November 5, 2008. Russia has invited Cuba to join its satellite navigation system, Glonass, Russia`s communications minister, who is currently on a working visit in Havana, said on Friday.

Glonass - the Global Navigation Satellite System - is the Russian equivalent of the U.S. Global Positioning System, or GPS, and is designed for both military and civilian use. Both systems allow users to determine their positions in terms of longitude, latitude and altitude to within a few meters.

"We are inviting all countries to join the system," Igor Shchegolev said at a news conference. "And, of course, we have invited Cuba."

Glonass is expected to begin providing worldwide services by the end of the next year.

Shchegolev and his Cuban counterpart Ramiro Valdes also signed a memorandum on cooperation in information technology.