WASHINGTON.— The conversations between the Cuban and U.S. delegations in Washington are half-way through, and developments have been made with regards to aspects defining the functioning of embassies after their reopening, according to diplomatic sources.
Photo: Ismael Francisco
Juan Jacobino, spokesperson for the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, explained that the dialogues being held at the U.S. State Department are taking place in a positive, constructive and respectful climate.
The second round of conversations has been taking place since this Friday morning, which should clear the way toward reestablishing bilateral relations, with the challenge of finding solutions to unresolved issues regarding the reopening of embassies.
As during the first round of talks held in Havana at the end of January, the Cuban delegation is led by Ministry of Foreign Relations (Minrex) Director General for the United States, Josefina Vidal Ferreiro; with Roberta Jacobson, State Department assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, heading the U.S. delegation.
This second round of talks will only last one day, and is exclusively dedicated to discussing unresolved issues relating to the reestablishment of bilateral relations and details regarding the opening of embassies.
The representatives are responsible for finding solutions to pending issues in order to fulfill the agreements announced by Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro on December 17, 2014.
Josefina Vidal, stated on February 26, that Cuba hopes to receive responses to various unresolved issues in order to establish the “appropriate context” in which to open embassies in both capitals.
She also highlighted the need to revise the unjust inclusion of Cuba on the list of state sponsors of international terrorism.
The Cuban delegation has also insisted on searching for a solution to the banking situation affecting the country’s Interests Section in Washington, which has been unable to access these essential services for over a year.
Another key point to be addressed is the assurance that future embassies will operate according to the principals of international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the obligations defined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Consular Relations.
Vidal explained that the Cuban delegation is presenting a proposal for the establishment of a bilateral dialogue on human rights, an issue on which Cuba has many things to demonstrate.
The holding of this encounter arose from a proposition made in July 2014 and reiterated in January 2015. “Now we are going to discuss how to organize this type of meeting and when it will take place.”
