“What is happening now is the start of a process which, barring some last-minute snags, would enable us to discuss more fundamental issues, such as an end of the US blockade of Cuba, the return of the territory of the Guantanamo naval base and a cessation of illegal radio and television broadcasts,” Marcelino Media said in comments carried by the El Nuevo Herald internet portal.
A new round of US-Cuban talks on restoring diplomatic relations will be held this coming May 21 in Washington. In December 2014 President Barack Obama said the US wanted to normalize diplomatic ties with Havana and ease the longstanding trade embargo.
Marcelino Medina said, however, that the issue of the Guantanamo base would not be raised during the May 21 parley as the two sides planned to focus on opening embassies and restoring diplomatic ties.
“More fundamental issues will take a very long time to tackle…This will be a lengthy process, a long and winding road towards a full normalization, which we won’t be able to cover without resolving the outstanding problems at hand,” the Cuban diplomat added.
