An announcement by US and Cuban governments regarding the reopening of embassies could come as early as next week as relations continue to normalize between the two countries and recent talks between Cuban government officials and Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Roberta Jacobson, came to a close. Describing the talks as “highly productive,” US officials declined to give a specific date on when full diplomatic operations may begin in Havana.
Jacobson, speaking at a May 22nd news conference, remarked that the talks represent “the first steps in the long process of normalization that will allow us to better represent U.S. interests and increase engagement with the Cuban people.”
The normalization of relations will also be aided by US President Barack Obama’s decision today removing Cuba from the US State Department’s list of State Sponsors of Terrorism which includes Syria, Iran and Sudan. Major points of negotiation still unresolved include the issue of the free movement of US diplomats and other embassy personnel inside Cuba once the diplomatic mission in Havana is fully restored to embassy status.
Striking an optimistic tone, Assistant Secretary Jacobson stated that “there is more to do to ensure a future U.S. Embassy will be able to function more like other diplomatic missions elsewhere in the world.”
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