The talks were headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Western Hemisphere David Cloe. During the meeting, compliance with bilateral Migration Agreements to guarantee regular, safe and orderly migration was reviewed, and Cuba reaffirmed its willingness to respect, as it has done so far.

In addition, Cuba reiterated its deep concern about measures to encourage illegal migration, laying stress on negative impact of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba.

The Cuban side warned the beneficial treatment still received by Cuban nationals who illegally enter the U.S. territory and the validity of the Cuban Adjustment Act also constitute incentives.

De Cossio insisted on significance of reestablishing non-immigrant visas process at the U.S. embassy in Havana.

In this regard, he stated that, after seven years, it is inexplicable to Cuban citizens the obligation to travel to a third country to get a visa, when the United States has an embassy and consulate in Havana.

The Cuban delegation strongly rejected the granting of political asylum to Cuban citizen Ruben Martinez who hijacked a Cuban civil aircraft AN-2 past October 21.

Actions of this nature -they warned- leads to illegal acts with dangerous and negative consequences for air security and national security of both countries.

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