UNITED NATIONS - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the “very important step” taken by the leaders of the United States and Cuba towards normalizing relations between the two countries.
US Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro of Cuba reportedly agreed in a telephone call to put aside decades of hostility. Media reports say that, as part of a deal negotiated over a period of 18 months, the US will restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba and open an embassy in Havana for the first time in more than 50 years after the release of an American contractor held in prison for five years. “I’d like to thank Obama of the US and President Raúl Castro for taking this very important step towards normalizing relations.” the secretary-general hoped Wednesday’s announcement will help to further expand exchanges between the people of the two countries.
“The United Nations stands ready to help both countries cultivate good neighbourly relations.”
For 23 consecutive years, the UN General Assembly has adopted resolutions calling for an end to the US economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. While the deal announced Wednesday does not mention changes to the embargo, Obama has reportedly expressed willingness to discuss lifting the sanctions.