Cuba-U.S. ties have made "important progress" since the two countries announced the restoration of diplomatic relations a year ago, but only in diplomacy, said a top Cuban official.

The two countries have yet to see progress in trade, finance and economy, said Josefina Vidal, head of U.S. affairs at the Cuban Foreign Ministry.

On the anniversary of the historic announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, of their intentions to restore formal relations between their countries, Vidal spoke with the press about the advances made to date.

"At the political and diplomatic level, and in bilateral cooperation, there has been important progress," Cuban news site Cubadebate quoted Vidal as saying.

"We have begun talks on climate change, mutual compensation, human trafficking and human rights, an area in which ... we have profound differences, but we have decided to begin these exchanges based on respect and reciprocity," said Vidal.

Resuming direct mail service between Cuba and the United States, and the imminent launch of regularly scheduled commercial flights are two major agreements that have emerged from these talks, she said.

In the key areas of trade, economy and finance, however, "we haven't obtained notable results as we have in other areas," said Vidal.

While Obama needs the U.S. Congress to lift the five-decade trade embargo against Cuba, he can use his executive powers to modify many restrictions, like allowing two-way trade, said Vidal.

"He could extend the same measures already in effect in the area of telecommunications, where exporting, importing and investing are allowed, in other economic spheres," said Vidal.

That would "modify key aspects of the embargo against Cuba and allow (commercial) operations between the two countries," she added.

Vidal acknowledged Obama's hands are tied in several aspects, but added "there are very few things that by law the president of the U.S. definitively cannot change" in terms of policy toward Cuba.

The list includes lifting the embargo and letting Americans freely travel to Cuba, as well as allowing Cuba to have access to credit to buy agricultural goods, to do business with U.S. subsidiaries in third countries, and to carry out transactions with the U.S. property nationalized during the 1959 revolution.

Before the ties can be fully normalized, Cuba maintains that Washington must also end its illegal occupation of Guantanamo Bay, anti-Cuba radio and TV broadcasts.

Along with the embargo, these Cold War policies belong to a past era, said Vidal, adding "we will continue working as we have until now to make progress ... in building new ties" with the U.S.

"Even with the differences that exist between our countries, better ties will benefit both countries and their peoples," said Vidal. "We believe a model of civilized coexistence will be the best contribution that we can make to present to future generations in Cuba and the U.S., as well as in the entire region." Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)