An accord reached between the US and Cuba has been hailed as a “ground-breaking first step” in normalizing relations between the two countries.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union or IPU, a UN partner organization, released the statement on Thursday calling the move a “major breakthrough”.

The two neighbours have decided to release prisoners and ease travel, commercial and diplomatic restrictions, ending a 50 year long political dispute.

Speaking to Jocelyne Sambira, Martin Chungong, the IPU Secretary General, said there are lots of benefits to be gained by people on either side of border.

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