The United States and Cuba Reach Agreement to Reopen Their Embassies

The United States and Cuba have reached an agreement to reopen their embassies in Washington and Havana, which is described as a practical step towards ending decades of hostility remaining from the Cold War between the two countries. According to a source from the French news agency, this matter will be officially announced on July 1st. It is expected that Barack Obama, the President of the United States, will issue a statement on this at 11 AM local time. Reuters also reports that both the U.S. President from Washington and John Kerry, the Secretary of State, who is in Vienna for nuclear negotiations with Iran, will speak on this matter. The Cuban government is also expected to take similar action. The reopening of the embassies comes six months after Raul Castro and Barack Obama announced that the two countries would resume their political relations. Subsequently, the leaders of the U.S. and Cuba met in April at the Summit of the Americas in Panama. Reuters indicates that John Kerry is expected to visit Havana in the next two or three weeks in July to participate in the ceremony of raising the U.S. flag. Until now, the two countries had interest offices in their capitals. The French news agency states that polls indicate that most Americans support the improvement of relations between the two countries.