Havana, Jan 21 (Prensa Latina) The twenty-eighth round of migration talks between Cuba and the United States began today with a view to assessing the progress of the agreements established between the two countries since 1995.
This meeting, held twice each year will be a space to analyze the actions taken by both parties to tackle illegal migration and trafficking in migrants, said a note from the Cuban Foreign Ministry.
A diplomatic source said the press that the talks include, on January 22, an exchange on the principles and steps for the resumption of bilateral ties and the opening of embassies in the respective capitals.
Tomorrow both delegations are also expected to address other issues of bilateral interest, in a third contact, the source says.
According to the statement, Cuba will hold with the United States a constructive dialogue based on mutual respect and the norms of international law.
At this first meeting, the Cuban part will express its deep concern at the continuity of the ‘wet-foot dry-foot’ policy and the Cuban Adjustment Act, which is the main stimulus to illegal emigration, said the same diplomatic source.
The Cuban delegation will also reject the policy established in 2006 by former President George W. Bush to grant parole (US residence) to Cuban professionals and health technicians who abandon their mission in third countries.
Todays meeting is also a space to discuss bilateral cooperation in dealing with illegal emigration, smuggling of human beings and document fraud, the Foreign Ministry official said.
‘Cuba expressed interest in increasing cooperation with the US authorities on this subject, specifically in dealing with illegal emigration,» added the diplomat spokesman.
Over 200 journalists from all over the world cover the conversations, which take place at the Convention Center, in this capital.
The talks are headed by Josefina Vidal, director of the United States Division at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Edward Alex Lee, deputy assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs.
On the other hand, Roberta Jacobson, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs will preside over tomorrow talks, the first on the process of resumption of diplomatic ties.
