Cuba, U.S. have agreed to restore diplomatic relations

Cuban leader Raul Castro confirmed here Wednesday in a special TV appearance that his government and the Obama Administration of the United States had agreed to reestablish the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In a historic TV broadcast timed to coincide with a similar address delivered by U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington D.C. , Castro insisted differences between the United States and Cuba should be resolved through "negotiation," stressing Cuba will defend its main principles.

"We have agreed to restore diplomatic ties, though that doesn't mean the main issue, which is the economic, trade and financial blockade, which causes major damage and must cease, has been resolved," said Castro.

Castro also said that he and President Obama had a phone conversation Tuesday, discussing and addressing measures aiming to normalize the bilateral ties, and the proposals fully conform with the international law, the human rights and the Charter of the United Nations.

The Cuban leader called for an end to the economic, financial and trade blockade imposed by Washington against Havana since 1962, one year after the ties between the United States and Cuba severed, urging President Obama to exercise his executive power to change U. S. embargo resolutions against Cuba.

Castro voiced Cuba's willingness to cooperate with the U.S. in all of the international forums.

While urging Obama to remove all the obstacles that restrict the normal links between the two nations, Castro asked Obama to recognize that there are "differences" in both countries by " concepts of democracy, human rights and government."

"We must learn the art of living together in a civilized way with our own differences," said Castro. Enditem