Igor Shchegolev, the Communications Minister of Russia, has invited Cuba to become a member of Glonass, the Russian equivalent of the U.S. GPS system. While in Havana on a visit, Shchegolev stated Russia is inviting all countries to join the Glonass system, which is expected to initiate worldwide services by the close of 2009. During a meeting with Ramiro Valdes, the Cuban minister, the two countries also signed an information technology cooperation memorandum.