The Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez assured that the island’s government is willing to dialogue with its United States counterpart on “the basis of equality and mutual respect,” according to press reports.
The Cuban Foreign Minister considered 2023 as “a year for that additional opportunity” because, he said, “there is an overwhelming consensus on the benefits in the interest of both countries,” he says. a report of Latin Press (PL)which cites statements by Rodríguez to the American media The BreakThroughNews.
According to the news release, the foreign minister maintained that this consensus exists both among Cubans who live on the island and “in the majority of Americans and Cuban citizens who live in northern territory.”
In addition, the diplomat, who is in the United States participating in the current session of the UN General Assembly, stressed that “Cuba is a factor of stability in the region for the prevention of acts of international organized crime, against trafficking of drugs, human trafficking and terrorism”, and valued that both countries have an important connection in environmental and cultural matters.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez reiterated the provision of #Cuba ?? to dialogue with the government of #USA ?? on the basis of equality and mutual respect
https://t.co/KOJJKS55j3– Latin Press (@PrensaLatina_cu) October 5, 2022
Rodriguez stated to The BreakThroughNews that “there are no anti-American sentiments among Cubans,” and he said that “the people of Cuba maintain a friendly attitude toward Americans because they are aware of the difference between certain policies of the United States government and the essence of the soul of the American people.”
The foreign minister lamented the strengthening of the embargo during the Donald Trump government and the maintenance of most of the measures taken against Cuba by that Administration during the current term of Joe Biden, as part of a “hostile policy” and “aggressive behavior against Cuban interests”, which “harm families on both sides of the Straits of Florida and restrict the right to freedom of travel of North American citizens”.
In contrast, he pointed out that the period of bilateral rapprochement during Barack Obama’s second term is “a solid demonstration of the possibility of a relationship that moves towards normality between the two countries,” according to a quote. PL.
Likewise, he pointed out that despite Washington’s “arbitrary and discriminatory” measures and decisions, “there are some channels of communication such as the positive migratory talks,” an issue that he considered “fundamental between Cuba and the United States.”
About the next vote at the UN of the Cuban resolution against the embargo, in November, Rodríguez stressed that this is the thirtieth time that the issue will be voted on in the General Assembly and predicted “almost unanimous” support for the island’s initiative, which, he said, “It will mean a support for international law” and “a rejection of the implementation of extraterritorial measures and the aggressive execution of policies against third countries and merchants from other nations such as the Helms Burton law,” reports the agency.
Although the Biden Administration maintains numerous sanctions against Cuba, as well as its presence on the controversial list of countries that, in Washington’s opinion, are sponsors of terrorism, some changes in policy towards the Island have been announced in recent months. , such as the increase in flights and the reopening of consular procedures in Havana, which the Cuban government has considered “limited steps, but in the right direction.”
In addition, both governments have maintained contacts on the migratory issue, as well as as a result of the fire at the Matanzas Supertanker Base and, recently, after the devastating blow of Hurricane Ian to western Cuba and US territories.
