Cuba, US Resume Talks on Restoring Diplomatic Relations

Meetings are scheduled Monday between Cuban and U.S. delegations, as part of the process aimed at re-establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

According to Cuban Foreign Ministry, the delegations will be headed by General Director of the United States Office of Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Josefina Vidal and the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson.

Official sources said this latest round of negotiations in Havana might last several days and will focus on Cuba’s demand that it be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The last time both delegations met was in February when they discussed issues such as reopening embassies in Washington and Havana after five decades of estrangement.

The U.S. State Department said in an official statement that a U.S. Embassy in Havana will allow Washington to more effectively promote its “interests and values” and increase engagement with the Cuban people.

Although Washington plans to reopen its diplomatic mission in Havana by the time of the Panama summit in April, the Cuban government said it must first be removed from the U.S. list, which prevents the island from accessing credit, among other restrictions. Washington apparently accepted the condition, but they have not yet removed Cuba from its list.

According to U.S. government's sources, officials from both governments will meet again later this month.

A journalist stands near a screen announcing a round of negotiations between Cuba and the U.S. in Havana, January 22, 2015. | Photo: Reuters