US delegation makes maiden visit to Cuba

A US delegation has arrived here for the first time since the two neighbouring countries decided to restore diplomatic ties last month, Xinhua reported Sunday.

The visiting six-member delegation, headed by US Senator Patrick Leahy, during its stay in the capital city till Monday will discuss with Cuban officials and civilian leaders the practical measures required to normalise the relations.

Both countries agreed to restore diplomatic ties that were severed by the US in 1961, as President Barack Obama called for an end to the long economic embargo against its old Cold War enemy in mid-December, 2014.

"We will discuss our expectations and those of Cubans relating to the normalisation of relations," Leahy said.

Leahy's visit precedes a planned meet of the US and Cuban diplomats, who will discuss principles and steps for the re-establishment of the diplomatic relations severed in January 1961, and the reciprocal opening of embassies in Havana and Washington.

The US and Cuban delegations will be respectively headed by Roberta Jacobson, the US deputy Secretary of State for Latin America, and Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, the head of Cuban foreign ministry's US affairs section.