(VOVworld) – President of the Cuban Councils of State and Ministers Army General Raúl Castro on Friday made a statement to mark one year to re-establish the diplomatic ties between Cuba and the US.

Cuban President Raul Castro. (Photo: Reuters/VNA)

In his declaration, President Raul underlined principles on the basis of sovereign equality, national independence and self-determination towards the normalization of relations between the two countries.

He said this year both sides haven’t made any progress in the issues which are essential for Cuba to be able to have normal relations with the US. They include the validity of US’ economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba and the US’ continuation to occupy Cuba’s Guantánamo for its Naval Base.

President Raul reiterated its intension not to swap its principles on national independence and self-determination in exchange for normalization with the US.