Georgia hails warming US-Cuba relations
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
Tbilisi has welcomed the new initiative between the US and Cuba to normalize and restore diplomatic relations.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry released a special statement on December 23, saying Georgia believed that this momentous decision can lead to rebuilding of mutual trust and formation of a new qualitative level of relations.
"It will greatly contribute to efforts for ensuring peace and development across the American continents. This joint decision of the American and Cuban governments will also help to promote the interests of American and Cuban citizens, as well as deepen people to people links between the nations,” the statement said.
"Georgia welcomes and supports all efforts to resolve the long-lasting disagreements through constructive negotiations under the international law and universally recognized principles, and with respect for the sovereignty and national interests of countries,” the ministry noted.
The Foreign Ministry's statement has come after US President Barack Obama called on December 17 to change Washington’s “outdated” approach towards Cuba.
The changes envisaged the release of US contractor Alan Gross and three Cubans held in the US, as well as restoration of reciprocal diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba.
Cuban President Raul Castro has welcomed Obama's words, saying the changes were what the Cuban authorities have been pressing for a long time.