US, Cuba to Hold Claims Talks in Havana on Tuesday - State Department

US officials will hold the first government-to-government claims discussion with their Cuban counterparts in Havana on Tuesday, the State Department said in a press release.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US delegation will be led by State Department Acting Legal Adviser Mary McLeod, according to the release.

"This initial meeting will allow the two sides to exchange information on a wide variety of claims," the release said on Monday. "The United States views the resolution of outstanding claims as a top priority for normalization."

The US claims include unsatisfied US court judgments against Cuba and other unsettled issues. Cuba raised claims related to the half a century embargo against the island nation.

"The meeting is the first step in what we expect to be a long and complex process," the State Department added.

In December 2014, US President Barack Obama announced the United States would normalize relations with Cuba. The two countries reopened embassies in their respective capitals on July 20, after more than 50 years of non-engagement.

Despite the relief in tensions, Washington continues to maintain a trade embargo on Cuba mandated by the US Congress.