The first meeting of the Cuba-US Steering Committee took place on September 11, 2015. The committee stems from an agreement by both countries to discuss next steps in the process towards the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States.
The Cuban delegation was presided over by Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, Director General of the US Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Edward Alex Lee, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.
According to a press release, both delegations agreed on the functions and the scope of the work of the Steering Committee as well as on the frequency of future meetings. They also defined the Commission’s work objectives and expected results.
The representatives of Cuba and the United States defined the agenda for discussions during the next few months. This includes new areas of cooperation such as environmental protection and the disaster prevention and response; health care; civil aviation and law enforcement, including the combat of drug, human trafficking and cross-border crime.
The US delegation focused on a solution to US certified claims against confiscated property and also the protection of trademarks and patents.
The Cuban delegation emphasized that the lifting of the blockade is essential, in the present bilateral context, to normalize relations. Furthermore, it reiterated that the return to Cuba of the territory it believes is illegally occupied by the Guantanamo Naval Base; the suspension of the illegal radio and television broadcasts from the United States against Cuba; and the elimination of the programs aimed at destabilizing and subverting Cuba’s constitutional.
It was also agreed that the Steering Committee will meet again in November 2015 in Washington.
Cuban Delegation Issues Press Release from the First Meeting of the Cuba-US Steering Committee was last modified: October 10th, 2015 by
