Letter by President Barack Obama to Raul Castro

HAVANA, Cuba, July 1 – Up next, the English language version of the letter sent by the President of the United States, Barack Obama, to Army General Raul Castro, President of the councils of State and Ministers of Cuba, as published by the Prensa Latina news agency:

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

June 30, 2015

His Excellency

Raul Castro Ruz

President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers

of the Republic of Cuba

Havana

Dear Mr. President,

I am pleased to confirm, following high-level discussions between our two governments, and in accordance with international law practice, that the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba have decided to re-establish diplomatic relations and permanent diplomatic missions in our respective countries on July 20, 2015. This is an important step forward in the process of normalizing between our two countries and peoples that we initiated last December.

In making this decision, the Unites States is encouraged by the reciprocal intention to develop respectful and cooperative relations between our two peoples and governments consistent with the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including those related to sovereign equality of States, settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of States, respect for equal rights and self-determinations of peoples, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and promotion and encouragement of respect for human tights and fundamental freedoms for all.

The United States and Cuba are each parties to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, signed at Vienna on April 18, 1961, and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, signed at Vienna On April 24, 1963. I am pleased to confirm the understanding of the United States that these agreements will apply to diplomatic and consular relations between our two countries.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama