Interview: A year on, U.S.-Cuba relations "encouraging", "challenging": U.S. Charge d'Affaires

A year after re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba, the United States believes its "engagement approach" with its former Cold War era enemy is working although many challenges remain for both sides, said U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Havana, Jeffrey DeLaurentis.

"The U.S. and Cuba have made significant progress in different areas that will improve the lives of citizens of both countries," said DeLaurentis, in a joint interview with foreign correspondents.

The top U.S. diplomat in the island said the "complex and long" normalization process between the two countries is underway and many topics have been discussed in the past year.

"Additional progress and tough conversations on challenging issues like human rights and claims are ahead. We remain committed to the dialogue and the relationship we're building with Cuba in the interests of both the United States and the Cuban people," he said.

DeLaurentis said U.S. President Barack Obama has signed four sets of regulatory measures to loosen up the restrictions imposed by the U.S. blockade on the island which can be only lifted by Congress.

"These changes try to stimulate commercial interaction in addition to expanding people-to-people travel. The whole notion of engagement and commercial contact is an important part of our relation but obviously within the confines of the law," he added.

Over the last year, Washington has allowed certain companies to do business with the Cuban government in areas like tourism, agriculture and telecommunications, however, the vast majority of them still await for the embargo to be totally lifted in order to engage deeper.

Starwood hotels recently inaugurated its first joint hotel in Havana while last May cruise ship Carnival docked in the Cuban capital, making it the first ever U.S. leisure ship to do so in over 50 years.

The White House has also authorized U.S. banks to establish correspondent accounts in Cuba, but only one bank has done so, while Cuban financial institutions are still banned from doing the same in the U.S.

Perhaps the biggest economic announcement came days before Obama visited Havana in March as he allowed Cuba to use the U.S. dollar in its international financial transactions, not only with Washington but with the rest of the world.

Three months later, Havana hasn't been able to do a single transaction in that currency.

The U.S. diplomat said last week banking officials of both countries participated in a seminar to address some of these specific issues and ensure the regulatory changes are implemented appropriately.

"We're trying to engage with the banks to ensure they too can avail themselves of the possibilities that are now essentially on the table," he said.

Both countries, said DeLaurentis, have tried to cover a number of different areas in the last year and several agreements have been signed.

"We've reestablished direct mail service, signed a memorandum of understanding in the health field particularly dealing with Zika and best practices on cancer and we're expanding our cooperation in law enforcement, money laundering, human smuggling, cybercrime, among others," he noted.

The diplomat also welcomed the start of air service to nine cities in Cuba and later on to Havana in the fall as part of an agreement signed between the U.S. Department of Transportation and Cuba's government.

Regarding the importance the Obama administration has given to engaging with the emerging Cuban private sector, DeLaurentis said Washington will continue to encourage the growth of small and medium private businesses on the island.

"The private sector is an important engine for economic growth and we would like to see as much economic growth here as possible. It's encouraging to see the extraordinary innovation, creativity that a number of small business owners have been exhibiting over the last few years and we would like to be as helpful to them as we can," he said.

The senior U.S. diplomat said both countries are focused on "moving forward" in all areas and make as much progress in the remaining months of the Obama administration.

"We have a new course in U.S.-Cuba relations ... and we're trying to make as much progress as possible so the policy is viewed as in the best interests of the U.S. and irreversible," he added.

The results of the U.S. elections in November could alter Washington's Cuba policy if Republican nominee Donald Trump gets to the White House. Hillary Clinton has said she would continue Obama's policy and promote ties with the Cuban people if she is elected. Enditem