The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – The Secretary of State, John Kerry, said today that he’s prepared to travel to Cuba to formally open a US embassy in Havana, but there are still many steps to take in the normalization of relations prior to that historic visit.
“I am ready, at the right time, to meet with my counterpart, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez. We have spoken several times by phone and we will meet when appropriate,” Kerry told reporters after a meeting with the head of European diplomacy, Federica Mogherini.
“And when the time comes, when appropriate, I am prepared to travel to Cuba to formally open an embassy and start moving. But some things have to get done before we get to that,” said Kerry.
Today Assistant Secretary of State for Latin America, Roberta Jacobson, became the most senior US official to visit Castro’s Cuba, arriving in Havana for talks on migration and normalization, which was announced by both countries on December 17.
This Thursday, the United States and Cuba will discuss reopening their embassies in Havana and Washington, which were closed in 1961.
Kerry stressed that these agreements require “mutual consent”, and said the delegation led by Washington will strive to achieve that goal.
“We hope policy standardization puts us in a stronger position to advance our interests and values and to empower the people of Cuba,” stated the US diplomat. (EFEUSA)
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica
