Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the new US policy on reestablishing diplomatic relations with Cuba and easing five-decade US trade and travel restrictions would be a positive development for Russia if it is fully implemented.GENEVA, December 17 (Sputnik) The newUSpolicy onnormalization ofrelations withCubawould be a positive development forRussia if it is fully implemented, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday.
US PresidentBarack Obama announced earlier onWednesday that Washington would work towardreestablishing diplomatic relations withCuba and easing five-decade US trade and travelrestrictions.
"If the measures, announced byWashington are implemented, it would help improving the situation aroundCuba, and it would certainly be a positive development forus," Ryabkov told reporters inGeneva, followinga fresh roundof talks onIran's controversial nuclear program.
As part ofrestoring relations withCuba, the Unites States intends tolift sanctions, imposed onthe island, increasing allowable remittance toCuba, authorizing additional exports and imports ofcertain goods and services, and facilitating financial transactions betweenthe two countries.
The United States also has plans toestablish an embassy inHavana and work together withCuba inareas ofmutual interest, such ashealth, migration, counterterrorism, drug-trafficking and disaster response, according toObama.
Moscow has maintained partnership withCuba overthe years, asthe island remains one ofRussia's key allies inLatin America, withthe trade turnover betweenthe two nations exceeding $200 million in2013.
By Sputnik News
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
