WASHINGTON — As part of a delegation to Cuba this week, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has been touring parts of the island and talking with a number of Cuban leaders, including her counterpart, Havana Mayor Marta Hernández Romero.

“It was an honor to meet with Mayor Hernández Romero as we build a relationship between our two capital cities,” Bowser said in a statement.

“As one of the first U.S. city delegations in decades to visit Havana, we have put ourselves in a position to form a positive working relationship that we hope will benefit our region in years to come.”

Bowser is on the island with political and business leaders from the District, Maryland and Virginia.

The trip was organized by the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which says the delegation will “lay the groundwork for future relationships and potential economic and cultural opportunities in Cuba.”

Bowser has also met this week with Cuban officials in healthcare, education and tourism as well as the U.S. Ambassador in Cuba Jeffrey DeLaurentis.

The trip is scheduled to last through Thursday. It comes ahead of a historic visit from President Barack Obama set for next month.