PANAMA CITY: US President Barack Obama met Cuban President Raul Castro yesterday in the highest-level talks between the two countries in more than 50 years, and the two men agreed to push ahead on improving relations after decades of hostility.
Describing their private meeting as “historic,” Obama said the two countries can end the antagonism of the Cold War era, although he also said he would continue to pressure the communist-led country on democracy and its human rights record.
“We are now in a position to move on a path toward the future,” Obama told Castro as they met in Panama, where they were both attending a summit of leaders from across the Americas.
Obama said there would still be “deep and significant differences” between the two governments and that he would continue to raise concerns on democracy and human rights in Cuba while Castro will criticize US policies.
“But I think what we have both concluded is that we can disagree with the spirit of respect and civility, and that over time it is possible for us to turn the page and develop a new relationship in our two countries.” Reuters
