FEC

Normalization of Relationship with the U.S.—Reaffirmation of Continued Dialogues

—- How have Cuba and the U.S. relations progressed since the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries in July 2015?

The two countries announced in December 2014 that they started negotiating for the normalization of their diplomatic ties. Since then, agreements have been signed in 16 areas which include immigration, narcotics, human trafficking, waterways, and marine conservation. The relaxation of the economic sanctions during the Obama administration was limited and advantageous to the U.S. Although the Americans are allowed to bring Cuban products purchased outside Cuba into the U.S., the ban on Cuban exports to the U.S. is yet to be lifted. Since the goal of the Cuban economic blockade was not achieved, President Obama honestly admitted that the American policy regarding Cuba was a failure. Last fall, direct flights between the U.S. and Cuba resumed, and the number of American tourists visiting Cuba is increasing rapidly. In January, the Obama administration ended the “wet foot-dry foot” policy that granted residency to Cubans who arrived in the U.S. without visas.

—-Under the Trump administration, is there a prospect of the removal of the U.S. economic blockade against Cuba?

Currently, there is no change in the U.S. policy towards Cuba and the relaxation of the economic sanctions during the Obama administration is observed, but the economic blockade still remains and the bilateral relationship has not been normalized. As for the immigration policy, a new agreement has been signed, while the Cuban Adjustment Act that allowed Cubans preferential treatment to immigrate to the U.S. is still in place. Cuba blocks reckless and dangerous illegal departure of Cubans, and promises the U.S. to allow lawful and safe immigration. Cuban President Raul Castro has recently reconfirmed continued dialogues with the U.S. by stating, “Cuba will discuss the economic sanctions with the U.S. on an equal footing while safeguarding the national sovereignty and independence.” We are hoping that the Trump administration will exercise its authority to relax the embargo like the previous administration did, and lift the economic blockade that has been strategically and historically proven to be unsuccessful. In addition, we are asking for the return of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base that the U.S. has been unlawfully occupying, and suspension of the U.S. support for the counterrevolutionary forces that includes propaganda broadcasting.

—- If the United States changes its stance on Russia more friendly, will it have a positive impact on the normalization of the U.S.-Cuban relationship?

Cuba has so far faced 14 U.S. Presidents in 55 years. I don’t think the U.S.-Cuban relationship will be affected by the U.S. relationship with Russia or any other country. The foreign policy of Cuba will follow the basic principles. We will calmly watch over the development of the U.S. policies regardless of the statements from the U.S. administration or media coverage.

—- How has the recent Cuban economic reforms progressed?

Last year, we made a significant progress in our economic model reform to achieve full and sustainable growth. Cuba’s economic and trade relations are increasingly diversified, and there has been much improvement in education, healthcare, and social security. Private businesses in the service sector and so on are promoted and are complementing our mainstream economy. The number of workers in the non-governmental enterprises has exceeded 500,000. With the improved tax system and the new foreign investment law, we are trying to attract foreign investments and advertising our list of 390 investment areas to various countries. Foreign investment is possible in any areas other than healthcare, education, and national defense. We are pushing forward the plan of the Mariel Special Zone, which acquires strategic importance in view of an eventual regularization of the economic ties between the two countries. Back in February, a public-private infrastructure conference was held in Havana, and a large Japanese delegation of 80 people participated in it. Cuba is striving to make our business environment dynamic and flexible.

—- How do you see the development of Cuba-Japan relations? What is your priority mission for further strengthening the bilateral ties? Where are the promising sectors and areas for promoting Japanese investment?

The relationship between the two countries couldn’t be better as the politicians and top officials continue to visit each other. When Prime Minister Abe visited Cuba last September, the two countries reached a new stage of strategically important trade and economic partnership. Although the debt problem had been a major roadblock, a debt rescheduling agreement was signed. New forms of economic cooperation are being proposed. The trade between Cuba and Japan has room for expansion. The Japanese corporations are increasingly interested in the Cuban market, and twelve of them have either opened or reopened their offices in Cuba. And Japan had a largest exhibition pavilion at the Havana International Fair last year. From the 1970s to 1980s, Japan was our second largest trading partner following Soviet Union. We are hoping that Japan will regain that status, and would like to increase Japan’s presence in trade and investment within 3 years. The promising areas are infrastructure, energy (modernization of thermal power plants, renewable energy), transportation equipment, tourist infrastructure, healthcare (medical centers, medical cooperation in third countries), agriculture and so on. We are happy to hear from the relevant people in Japan that the development of the relationship between Japan and Cuba will not be dependent on the intention of the third countries.