Ban welcomes restoration of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed today's announcement that Cuba and the United States will reopen their embassies in Havana and Washington, D.C.

“The restoration of diplomatic ties is an important step on the path toward the normalization of relations”, says a statement released by his spokesperson earlier today.

In keeping with the principles of its founding Charter, the United Nations supports efforts to promote more harmonious and good neighbourly relations among States, adds the statement.

“The Secretary-General hopes that this historic step will benefit the peoples of both countries.”

On December 7, 2014, the UN chief welcomed the beginning of normalization of their relations between Cuba and the United States, which put aside decades of hostility.

Media reports said at the time that, as part of a deal negotiated over a period of 18 months, the US would restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba and open an embassy in Havana for the first time in more than 50 years after the release of an American contractor held in prison for five years.