Former Cuban President Fidel Castro was photographed as he made a rare public appearance Friday, according to state media.

The 88-year-old former leader of Cuba met with cheese experts at the Food Industry Research Institute, according to video and photos published by state media Friday.

This appearance was his first is roughly three months, and comes days after the U.S. announced the two countries were reopening their embassies after more than 50 years.

According to state media, Castro met with 19 cheese masters for more than four hours, discussing everything from climate change to armed conflict around the world.

Fidel Castro has been relatively quiet since he handed over power to his brother Raul Castro. Cuban state media released images of Fidel Castro meeting with a group of Venezuelans visiting the island in April.

The former leader has also been mum on his thoughts on the restoration of diplomatic ties with the United States. A letter allegedly written by Castro and published in state media in January said he supported the decision to restore diplomatic ties, but still "didn't trust" U.S. officials.