The policy of the US Government against Cuba "have only confirmed the serious setback taking place in the ties between the two countries," said the Director General of the United States of the Foreign Ministry, Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, in Havana.
At the closure of the 16th edition of the Rounds of Talks: "Cuba in the foreign policy of the United States of America," the diplomat stressed that "the issuance of an arbitrary list of restricted Cuban entities", allegedly linked, in an unfounded manner, to the defense and national security sector, with which United States transactions are prohibited in the future. and the decision to eliminate the individual trips of the Americans in the category of "people to people" exchanges, not only damage the Cuban economy and its state and private sectors, but also the American citizens, whose right to travel to the Island is even more restricted, and its businessmen, who are deprived of interesting business opportunities with their competition.
He pointed out that "all these steps have been accompanied by repeated disrespectful and offensive statements against Cuba alleged by President Trump and other government officials, which take up the hostile rhetoric of the periods of greatest confrontation, adding an additional negative component that enrages the bilateral climate », Said Josefina Vidal.
He asserted that "if the setbacks in relations have not been greater, as has been said, the desire of extreme right-wing elements of Cuban origin and some allies within the government has been due to strong opposition from members of Congress from both parties. and from numerous sectors, including businessmen, academics, retired military, scientific and educational entities, travel agencies, diverse organizations, Cuban residents and even government agencies, who for two years verified and received the benefits of a different relationship with Cuba.
"But this has not remained on the declaratory level, but in correspondence with this position, Cuba has taken concrete steps to maintain a civilized and mutually beneficial relationship with the US," he added.
Among other actions, in the last few months we have submitted to the State Department seven plans for the implementation of signed memoranda of understanding on cooperation in hydrography and geodesy, protected land areas, seismology, meteorology, cancer control, animal and plant health, and twinning of national parks, explained the diplomat.
We have reiterated the proposals for the bases for bilateral cooperation in confronting human trafficking, terrorism and migratory fraud, and money laundering, as well as aid for navigation and topographic mapping.
We are waiting for the responses from the US authorities, he said.
American and Cuban experts take part in 16th round of talks: "Cuba in the foreign policy of the United States of America", sponsored by the Center for International Policy Research.
In the opinion of researchers and academics, this annual event on Cuba-US relations is the most important one that is done in our country about this complex topic.
