WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earnest noted that Cuba’s inclusion on the list was one the issues the two countries needed to work out prior to opening embassies. However, he added there is no specific time frame yet for the announcement to open embassies.
Earlier on Friday, US State Department removed Cuba from State Sponsors of Terrorism list after the assessment that Cuba meets the statutory criteria for rescission.
“As of right now, there are additional issues that our diplomats are working through before we can reach an agreement that would yield the opening of embassies. But that obviously is among the next milestones here.”
The step was taken after the administration of US President Barack Obama announced its intention to normalize US-Cuba relations in December 2014.
On Thursday, US media reported the opening of embassies in Washington, DC and Havana is expected to be officially announced next week, according to sources close to the Cuba-US negotiations.
