There is a feasible way, even within the deep differences, to progress in constructing links that allow to solve issues and bring benefits, the deputy FM said on the opening ceremony of the 15th International Relations Seminar ISRI-2024.
At the Pelegrin Torras de la Luz Theater of the Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI), Vidal delivered the opening lecture: “The Process of Rapprochement between Cuba and the United States under the Barack Obama’s Administration- Lessons Learned.”
The Cuban diplomat stated that a rapprochement that lasted from December 2014 to January 2017 bequeathed “a model of what could be a relation of coexistence between the two nations,” although not without difficulties. Vidal pointed out that a model posed great challenges, given the persistence of deep differences and, more importantly, of the fundamental contradiction resulting from the United States’ claim of domination and Cuba’s determination to defend its sovereignty.
Notwithstanding there is a setback in bilateral relations and agreements from the Obama term as they remained inoperative or were breached under the Donald Trump’s Administration, they all survived and have served as a basis for resuming certain levels of cooperation, the deputy FM commented.
Vidal described the rapprochement process as unprecedented and ephemeral because with Trump’s mandate “the open confrontation that has prevailed across those 65 years returned, making it seem, quite rightly, exceptional and unrepeatable.”
The diplomat pledged that for “two countries that had not had relations and barely interacted and dialogued for over five decades, what was achieved in just two years was not irrelevant.”
Among achievements, Vidal included the release of the last three of the Cuban Five Heroes imprisoned in the U.S. and the exclusion of Cuba from the States Sponsoring Terrorism (SST) list.
The seminar, which will conclude on Thursday, is being organized by ISRI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.
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