- Title: Cuba's Castro warns Trump to respect country's sovereignty
- Date: 25th January 2017
- Summary: PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (JANUARY 25, 2017) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF SUMMIT NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT DANIEL ORTEGA LISTENING
- Embargoed: 8th February 2017 21:00
- Keywords: Raul Castro Donald Trump CELAC Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
- Location: PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
- City: PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
- Country: Dominican Republic
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00560KZ51J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Cuban President Raul Castro on Wednesday (January 25) said Cuba hoped to continue to normalise relations with the United States, but made clear the Trump administration should not expect concessions affecting the country's sovereignty.
President Donald Trump, before taking office, threatened to torpedo the still fragile détente between the former Cold War foes unless a "better deal" could be struck, without providing details. His aides have said current policy is under review.
Castro called some of the new administration's words "worrying".
"It would be desirable that the new government of the United States opt for respecting the region although it is worrying that it has spoken of intentions that put our interests at risk as far as trade, employment, migration and the environment among others," he said.
Castro's remarks on Wednesday were his government's first since Trump took office on Friday (January 20).
"Cuba and the United States can cooperate and live side by side in a civilized manner, respecting our differences and promoting everything that benefits both countries and people," Castro said.
"But it should not hope that to achieve this, Cuba will make concessions that are inherent to its independence and sovereignty," he said, in a speech to a summit of Latin American and Caribbean leaders in the Dominican Republic broadcast live on Cuban television.
Seeking to reverse more than 50 years of U.S. efforts to force Cuba to change by isolating it, Obama agreed with Castro in December 2014 to work to normalise relations. Since then, the two countries have restored diplomatic ties and signed cooperation agreements.
Obama, a Democrat, used executive orders to circumvent the long-standing U.S. trade embargo on Cuba and ease some restrictions on travel and business. The embargo can only be lifted by the U.S. Congress, which is controlled by Republicans.
The normalisation process has included the signing of 22 agreements between the two former Cold War foes and the use of executive orders to punch holes in the embargo.
The agreements include cooperation on environmental and security issues, immigration and postal service.
Travel to the Caribbean island from the United States has increased, with the start of direct flights and cruises and roaming agreements signed, but no manufacturing or significant trade deals have been inked.
Castro said he hoped the Trump administration would respect the region, but called "worrisome" its declared intentions to put at risk "our interests in the areas of trade, employment, migration and the environment," apparently referring to Mexico. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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