Off the wire
• Corinthians beat Sao Paulo in Copa Libertadores opener  • ATP/WTA Rio Open results  • ATP Delray Beach Open results  • Dubai Open WTA results  • Reforms crucial for economic development in Albania: World Bank offical  • U.S. must apologize for jailing son in Guantanamo: Aussie father  • Champions League fixtures  • World track cycling championships results  • Myanmar's Kokang fighting continues amid state of emergency  • 42,800 new-energy vehicles exempt from purchase tax  
You are here: 　 Home

Cuban FM meets U.S. lawmakers on normalization of ties

Xinhua, February 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Wednesday met with Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, and other legislators visiting the island as part of bilateral efforts to normalize ties.

According to Cuba's Foreign Ministry, the two sides "discussed issues related to the current context of ties between the two countries, including restoring diplomatic relations, opening embassies and the debate in Congress on lifting the blockade against Cuba."

Cuba usually refers to the U.S.-led trade embargo as a "blockade," arguing its reach goes beyond the United States to block other countries from trading with Cuba.

Josefina Vidal, director general for U.S. affairs at Cuba's Foreign Ministry was also present at the meeting.

Vidal headed the Cuban delegation to the first round of talks held in January and will again head the island's representatives to the second round, scheduled for Feb. 27 in Washington.

A statement released on Tuesday by Pelosi's office said the delegation would "work to advance the relationship between the United States and Cuba," based on many efforts of other colleagues in Congress, "especially in the areas of agriculture and trade."

The U.S. lawmakers are set to meet with senior Cuban government officials, local leaders and Cardinal Jaime Ortega.

The lawmakers met with members of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana upon arrival Tuesday.

This is the second U.S. congressional delegation to the island in less than a week. On Saturday, three Democratic senators visited Cuba before the arrival of Pelosi and her commission.

Senators Claire McCaskill, from Missouri, Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota) and Mark Warner (Virginia), expressed their support for lifting the trade embargo, and highlighted business opportunities offered by Cuba, especially in agriculture and tourism.

Washington severed ties with Cuba in January 1961, and imposed punitive economic sanctions in an effort to topple the revolutionary government of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who retired in 2006 for health reasons.

In a historic joint announcement on Dec. 17, his younger brother and successor Raul Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama said they had agreed to restore ties. Endi