Castro hails thaw in Cuban-US ties

Obstacle in relations removed but issue of end of embargo remains unresolved

Cuban President Raul Castro said on Saturday he was ready to discuss any topic with Washington after the historic bilateral rapprochement, but warned not to expect political change.

While Castro hailed the agreement for removing an "obstacle" in US-Cuban relations, he reiterated that "the most important thing, the end of the embargo" remained unresolved.

He spoke at the close of the twice-yearly meeting of the National Assembly, which unanimously ratified the deal between Havana and Washington, in a session largely focused on the island's historic renewal of ties with Washington.

"The Cuban people cheer this correct decision of US President Barack Obama. It represents the removal of an obstacle in relations between our countries," he said.

"We reiterate our willingness for respectful and reciprocal dialogue concerning disagreements," Castro said, adding that Cuba "accepted dialogue ... on any topic about all things here but also in the United States".

But he emphasized that his country was a "sovereign state" that would not bow to pressure to change its political or economic system.

He cautioned that the island faces a "long and difficult struggle" before the eventual lifting of the decades-old US blockade.

Castro stressed that "to improve relations, the United States should not ask Cuba to renounce the ideas for which Cuba has fought for more than a century, for which its people have shed blood and have taken many risks".

He insisted Cuba would not give up its socialist principles.

"In the same way that we have never demanded that the United States change its political system, we will demand respect for ours," Castro said.

He noted that between the governments of the US and Cuba, there are profound differences including different conceptions of the exercise of national sovereignty, democracy, political models and international relations.

Castro announced he would attend the Seventh Summit of the Americas scheduled to be held in Panama in April, in what will be the first participation of the island in a meeting of this kind.

The US and Cuba made the breakthrough in their Cold War standoff on Wednesday, launching measures to ease a five-decade US trade embargo, as well as a prisoner exchange. The first official talks are scheduled for January.

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon praised both countries for renewing ties.

"I highly commend President Obama's very courageous visionary decision to address this issue," Ban said. "At the same time I really appreciate President Raul Castro. He has shown great humanity and leadership this time."

Ban visited Cuba earlier this year and said he had been trying to advocate for an opening with Cuba to authorities in Washington over the issue.

"I am very glad that they have finally decided to agree," he said.

AFP - Xinhua - Reuters