Cuba does not abandon principles in relations with the US

Cuban President Raul Castro has just announced that his country is ready for dialogue with the United States but will not give up its principles.

The Cuban leader affirmed that Cuba still wants to dialogue with the United States even though US President Donald Trump ruled out the possibility of continuing bilateral dialogue as well as implementing previously signed agreements between the two sides.

President Raul Castro at the Cuban National Assembly in Havana on July 14. Photo: AFP

In June, Mr Trump announced new trade and travel restrictions on the Caribbean island nation.

The White House noted that the United States maintains an embargo on Cuba and opposes calls by the United Nations and international organizations to lift that embargo.

Cuba's Granma newspaper on July 14 quoted President Raul Castro as saying in the country's National Assembly: "The US government has decided to tighten the embargo by introducing new sanctions... Cuba is willing to continue dialogue with the US, but on the basis of respect for sovereignty, and we do not intend to compromise on principles or accept any conditions. Regardless of what the US does, we will continue to follow the path we have chosen."

According to President Raul, Mr. Trump's policy does not reflect the support of the American people and Cubans in the US for the reconciliation of US-Cuba relations. Mr. Raul believes that the policy only reflects the interests of a small group of people in Florida who oppose the Cuban regime.

Last month, Cuban officials warned that a U.S. reversal of policy toward Cuba would fail.

According to VOV