US - Cuba: Historic talks on restoring bilateral relations.

(Baonghean.vn) - Today (Wednesday, January 21, 2015), the highest-ranking delegation of the United States arrived in Cuba to begin dialogue negotiations to restore diplomatic relations and, most importantly, normalize bilateral relations that have been locked since the Cold War.

US and Cuban flags on the balcony of a hotel in Havana being used by the first US congressional delegation to Cuba since US President Barack Obama's policy change announced on December 17

The two-day dialogue is the first bilateral event since US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced on December 17, 2014, that they had reached a historic breakthrough after 18 months of secret negotiations.

President Barack Obama is leading the United States on a path to removing Washington's 53-year-old economic sanctions and trade embargo against the communist island nation, declaring to Congress in his State of the Union address yesterday: "We are eliminating policies that are long overdue."

During the two working days, the negotiations will focus on two main issues: Immigration (discussed on Wednesday, January 21) and the restoration of diplomatic relations (discussed on Thursday, January 22).

Both sides are also expected to outline long-term goals. While Cuba is seeking an end to Washington's 53-year-old economic embargo and removal from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, the United States will emphasize the country's human rights.

On immigration, Cuba has said it will oppose the United States' reception of Cubans when they arrive on American soil, a policy that Cuba says encourages traders to make dangerous journeys through the Florida Straits in small boats.

President Obama has executive authority to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries, but the issue of lifting the economic embargo needs to be approved by Congress.

A senior Cuban Foreign Ministry official drew a distinction between the restoration of diplomatic relations and the broader issues of normalizing relations.

“Cuba is not normalizing relations with the United States. Cuba is just re-establishing diplomatic relations with the United States. The process of normalizing relations between the two countries is a much longer process and includes many other complex processes.”

The US delegation will be led by Roberta Jacobson, the top US diplomat for Latin America and the first US assistant secretary of state to visit Cuba in 38 years. A US official of similar rank visited Cuba 35 years ago.

On the Cuban side, the negotiating delegation was led by Josefina Vidal, the State Department's chief diplomat for US affairs.

Truong Huu Quy

According to Reuters