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Press Release Issued by the Cuban Delegation to the Migration Talks with the United States

Havana, February 19, 2010.

On February 19, 2010, a new round of migration talks was held between the Governments of the United States and Cuba. The US delegation was headed by Craig Kelly, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; and the Cuban delegation was presided over by Dagoberto Rodríguez, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The meeting took place in an atmosphere of respect. Both delegations evaluated the evolution of the migration accords in force between the two countries. They also discussed some of the aspects contained in the new draft migration accord submitted by Cuba during the round of talks held on July, 2009, in New York, aimed at ensuring a legal, safe and orderly migration between the two countries and a more effective cooperation to combat illegal alien smuggling.

In this new round of talks, the Cuban delegation reiterated the request so that the opening of new vacancies at the Interest Section of Cuba in Washington is authorized in order to optimize the consular services offered to Cuban citizens residing in the United States.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dagoberto Rodríguez ratified Cuba’s unequivocal commitment with the implementation of the migration accords in force between the two countries and further stated: “The meeting reaffirmed the importance and usefulness of this mechanism.”

The Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister reaffirmed that Cuba is strictly complying with the letter and the spirit of the migration accords. However, he reiterated Cuba’s permanent concern that a legal, safe and orderly migration –as established in the migration accords- would not be achieved as long as the United States continues to implement the Cuban Adjustment Act and the wet foot/dry foot policy which encourage illegal departures and human smuggling, since they ensure a differential treatment to Cubans arriving illegally in U.S. territory, regardless of the ways and means used to accomplish this purpose.

The Cuban delegation expressed Cuba’s willingness to continue having these exchanges in the future.

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