Raul Castro calls for mutual respect in US relations

Havana: Cuban President Raul Castro on Wednesday said Cuba hoped to continue to normalise relations with the US, but made clear the Trump administration should not expect concessions affecting the country’s sovereignty.

President Donald Trump, before taking office, threatened to torpedo the still fragile detente between the former Cold War foes unless a “better deal” could be struck, without providing details. His aides have said current policy is under review.

“Cuba and the United States can cooperate and live side by side in a civilised manner, respecting our differences and promoting all that is of benefit for both countries and people,” Mr Castro said in his government’s first remarks since Mr Trump took office.

“But it should not hope that to achieve this Cuba will make concessions inherent to its independence and sovereignty,” he said, in a speech to a summit of Latin American and Caribbean leaders.

Seeking to reverse more than 50 years of US efforts to force Communist-run Cuba to change by isolating it, Mr Obama agreed with Castro in December 2014 to work to normalize relations.