U.S., Cuba to resume normalization talks at end of month

The United States and Cuba will hold a new round of talks on normalized ties here at the end of this month, the State Department confirmed on Tuesday.

"I can confirm that the talks will be held on the 27th here at the State Department, the 27th of February," spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki told reporters at a daily news briefing.

U.S. Senators Mark Warner, Claire McCaskill and Amy Klobuchar traveled to Cuba over the weekend in support of a bill sponsored by Klobuchar to end the trade embargo slapped on Cuba over half a century ago.

Washington and Havana had "positive and productive" talks last month in the Cuban capital over reopening embassies and normalizing ties, with Cuba, among others, calling for the trade embargo lifted.

"We look with hope and expectations to the meetings next week in Washington between the Cuban government and the American State Department to make progress," Warner told reporters in Havana on Tuesday.

U.S. President Barack Obama, acknowledging "an outdated approach" to Cuba in December, announced steps in sync with Cuban leader Raul Castro to restore ties with Cuba that were cut off in January 1961. Endite