U.S.-Cuba Talks on Re-Establishing Diplomatic Relations
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 20, 2015
On February 27, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta S. Jacobson will host a delegation from the Cuban government led by Josefina Vidal, general director of the U.S. Division of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss re-establishing diplomatic relations. The talks will take place at the
Department of State in Washington, D.C. and will focus on matters related to reopening embassies, including the
functions of diplomats in our respective countries.
These talks continue the dialogue initiated by the parties on January 22 in Havana, Cuba and are a key step in
implementing the new direction in U.S.-Cuba relations announced by President Obama on December 17, 2014. It is in the
interest of both countries to re-establish diplomatic relations and re-open embassies. A U.S. Embassy in Havana will
allow the United States to more effectively promote our interests and values, and increase engagement with the Cuban
people. As with the more complex process of normalizing relations, re-establishing diplomatic relations requires the
agreement of the governments of both Cuba and the United States.
To get updates from Assistant Secretary Jacobson, follow her on Twitter @WHAAsstSecty.
ENDS