Barack Obama to Raul Castro
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 and 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 relations between our two countries and peoples that we initiated last December.
In making this decision, the United 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-determination of peoples, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and promotion and encouragement of respect for human rights 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,
[signed Barack Obama]
Raul Castro to Barack Obama (English translation)
Havana, July 1, 2015
Hon. Mr. Barack H. Obama
President of the United States of America
Mr. President:
Consistent with the announcements of 17 December 2014 and the high-level discussions between our governments, I am pleased to address you to confirm that the Republic of Cuba has decided to reestablish diplomatic relations with the United States of America and open permanent diplomatic missions in our respective countries on 20 July 2015.
The Cuban side takes this decision animated by the reciprocal intention to develop respectful and cooperative relations between our peoples and governments.
Cuba is inspired as well by the principles and proposals enshrined in the United Nations Charter and International Law, namely, sovereign equality, the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, abstaining from resorting to threat or the use of force against the territorial integrity or the political independence of any State, non-intervention in matters that are the internal jurisdiction of the States, the promotion of friendly relations between nations based on respect for the principal of equal rights and free determination of peoples, and cooperation in the solution of international problems and in the development and promotion of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
The above is consistent with the spirit and the norms established in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963, to which both the Republic of Cuba and the United States are Party States, and will govern diplomatic and consular relations between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America.
I take this opportunity to express to you, Mr. President, the assurances of our consideration.
Raul Castro Ruz
President of the Councils of State and of Ministers
Republic of Cuba
