Press release issued by the Cuban delegation to the 2nd meeting of the Cuba-US Bilateral Commission

Press release issued by the Cuban delegation to the 2nd meeting of the Cuba-US Bilateral Commission
Fecha de publicación: 
11 November 2015
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The second meeting of the Cuba-US Bilateral Commission was held in Washington D.C. on November 10, 2015. This mechanism was created to define and follow up on the agenda both countries are working on as part of the process towards the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States.

The Cuban delegation was headed by Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, Director-General of the US Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the US delegation was headed by Edward Alex Lee, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

In this meeting, the Cuban delegation insisted on the necessity to lift the blockade as a top priority, for it continues to affect the Cuban people as well as Cuba’s operations and relations with third countries, given its extraterritorial scope, and hinders the development of normal economic and commercial relations with the United States. Likewise, the Cuban delegation reiterated that the elimination of this policy is essential for the normalization of relations, in addition to the solution of other pending problems that are harmful to the sovereignty of Cuba, such as the illegal occupation of a portion of Cuban territory by the Guantánamo Naval Base, and the continuation of the illegal radio and television broadcasts from the United States to Cuba and the programs intended to destabilize and subvert Cuba’s constitutional order.

During the meeting, which took place in a constructive climate, both delegations reviewed the current status of the agreements adopted at the first meeting of this Commission held on September 11 this year in Havana.

Both sides discussed the steps taken so far, which could be conducive to the adoption, in the short term, of concrete agreements in areas of mutual benefit, such as the establishment of regular flights between both countries, the protection of the environment, the resumption of direct postal service and the combat of drug-trafficking.

They also evaluated the new exchanges initiated on bilateral and multilateral topics of common interest, such as maritime and port security, law enforcement and climate change; and scheduled other dialogues that will continue soon about migration and trafficking in persons.  Both delegations agreed to continue discussing, on the basis of reciprocity, human rights, an area where there are profound differences. Aditionally, they reiterated their interest to expand cooperation in order to include new areas, such as health.

The representatives from Cuba and the United States positively assessed the high level visits paid and discussed others that could take place in the next few months.

Both sides agreed that the Bilateral Commission will meet again in February, 2016, in Havana.(Cubaminrex)

The second meeting of the Cuba-US Bilateral Commission was held in Washington D.C. on November 10, 2015. This mechanism was created to define and follow up on the agenda both countries are working on as part of the process towards the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States.

The Cuban delegation was headed by Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, Director-General of the US Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the US delegation was headed by Edward Alex Lee, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

In this meeting, the Cuban delegation insisted on the necessity to lift the blockade as a top priority, for it continues to affect the Cuban people as well as Cuba’s operations and relations with third countries, given its extraterritorial scope, and hinders the development of normal economic and commercial relations with the United States. Likewise, the Cuban delegation reiterated that the elimination of this policy is essential for the normalization of relations, in addition to the solution of other pending problems that are harmful to the sovereignty of Cuba, such as the illegal occupation of a portion of Cuban territory by the Guantánamo Naval Base, and the continuation of the illegal radio and television broadcasts from the United States to Cuba and the programs intended to destabilize and subvert Cuba’s constitutional order.

During the meeting, which took place in a constructive climate, both delegations reviewed the current status of the agreements adopted at the first meeting of this Commission held on September 11 this year in Havana.

Both sides discussed the steps taken so far, which could be conducive to the adoption, in the short term, of concrete agreements in areas of mutual benefit, such as the establishment of regular flights between both countries, the protection of the environment, the resumption of direct postal service and the combat of drug-trafficking.

They also evaluated the new exchanges initiated on bilateral and multilateral topics of common interest, such as maritime and port security, law enforcement and climate change; and scheduled other dialogues that will continue soon about migration and trafficking in persons.  Both delegations agreed to continue discussing, on the basis of reciprocity, human rights, an area where there are profound differences. Aditionally, they reiterated their interest to expand cooperation in order to include new areas, such as health.

The representatives from Cuba and the United States positively assessed the high level visits paid and discussed others that could take place in the next few months.

Both sides agreed that the Bilateral Commission will meet again in February, 2016, in Havana.(Cubaminrex)

The second meeting of the Cuba-US Bilateral Commission was held in Washington D.C. on November 10, 2015. This mechanism was created to define and follow up on the agenda both countries are working on as part of the process towards the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States.

The Cuban delegation was headed by Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, Director-General of the US Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the US delegation was headed by Edward Alex Lee, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

In this meeting, the Cuban delegation insisted on the necessity to lift the blockade as a top priority, for it continues to affect the Cuban people as well as Cuba’s operations and relations with third countries, given its extraterritorial scope, and hinders the development of normal economic and commercial relations with the United States. Likewise, the Cuban delegation reiterated that the elimination of this policy is essential for the normalization of relations, in addition to the solution of other pending problems that are harmful to the sovereignty of Cuba, such as the illegal occupation of a portion of Cuban territory by the Guantánamo Naval Base, and the continuation of the illegal radio and television broadcasts from the United States to Cuba and the programs intended to destabilize and subvert Cuba’s constitutional order.

During the meeting, which took place in a constructive climate, both delegations reviewed the current status of the agreements adopted at the first meeting of this Commission held on September 11 this year in Havana.

Both sides discussed the steps taken so far, which could be conducive to the adoption, in the short term, of concrete agreements in areas of mutual benefit, such as the establishment of regular flights between both countries, the protection of the environment, the resumption of direct postal service and the combat of drug-trafficking.

They also evaluated the new exchanges initiated on bilateral and multilateral topics of common interest, such as maritime and port security, law enforcement and climate change; and scheduled other dialogues that will continue soon about migration and trafficking in persons.  Both delegations agreed to continue discussing, on the basis of reciprocity, human rights, an area where there are profound differences. Aditionally, they reiterated their interest to expand cooperation in order to include new areas, such as health.

The representatives from Cuba and the United States positively assessed the high level visits paid and discussed others that could take place in the next few months.

Both sides agreed that the Bilateral Commission will meet again in February, 2016, in Havana.(Cubaminrex)

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