US, Cuba to hold talks on re-opening embassies next week

The U.S. State Department has reportedly said that American and Cuban negotiators will meet next week to discuss the re-opening of embassies in each other's capitals.

The talks, scheduled to take place on Thursday, are expected to be focused on the practical measures needed to reopen embassies in Havana and Washington, reported the BBC.

A statement released by the State Department said that it will host a Cuban delegation on May 21. It added that a U.S. embassy in Havana would allow the nation to promote their interests and values effectively and increase engagement with the Cuban people.

Although diplomatic ties between the two countries have improved in recent months but a U.S. trade embargo remains in place.

Last month, Obama removed Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Havana had said that it needed to be taken off the terror list before talks to reopen embassies could begin.

Obama announced a historic thaw in relations between the two countries in December, ending a five decade-long standoff.