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1st LD Writethru: UN chief welcomes Cuba, U.S. to reopen embassies

Xinhua, July 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday welcomed the announcement that Cuba and the United States will reopen embassies in other's capital city on July 20.

"The restoration of diplomatic ties is an important step on the path toward the normalization of relations," said a statement released by Ban's spokesperson. "In keeping with the principles of its founding Charter, the United Nations supports efforts to promote harmonious and good neighborly relations among States."

After agreeing to end more than half a century of hostilities, Cuba and the U.S. announced Wednesday that they would restore diplomatic relations and reopen their respective embassies in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, and in Havana, capital of Cuba, on July 20.

Wednesday's announcement came after four rounds of negotiations in Havana and Washington, which spanned more than six months, to iron out details, such as the number of diplomatic personnel and the limits on their freedom of movement, and other mutual concerns. Endite