Progress Reported in US/Cuba Talks

The third round of talks between the United States and Cuba aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries concluded in Washington. Discussions centered on the technical aspects involved in opening embassies in their respective capitals. Cuban Foreign Relations Ministry official Josefina Vidal said the talks were respectful and showed progress was being made. Among the advances pointed to by Vidal are U.S. President Barack Obama's pledge to remove Cuba from Washington's list of state sponsors of terrorism and the renewal of banking services that will allow Havana's diplomatic mission in the U.S. capital to operate. Differences remain on the functioning of the diplomatic missions. Havana said once diplomatic relations have been reestablished it will be willing to discuss other important outstanding issues. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson said the current round of talks was "highly productive". teleSUR