WASHINGTON
U.S. and Cuban officials discussed the 1994 and 1995 migration accords between the two countries in Havana on Wednesday, State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Thursday.
"The productive and collaborative nature of yesterday's discussions proves that despite the clear differences that remain between our countries, the United States and Cuba can find opportunities to advance our mutual shared interests, as well as engage in a respectful and thoughtful dialogue," Psaki said.
The United States hosted the last round of the semiannual talks last July in Washington.
According to Psaki, the U.S. restated its commitments under the accords to ensure that migration between the two countries remains safe, legal and orderly.
In addition to discussing the bilateral implementation of the accords, the teams also exchanged ideas on the return of Cuban excludable aliens, the Cuban family reunification parole program, and the monitoring of repatriated Cuban nationals.
Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson, who led the U.S. delegation, met with members of the Jewish community as part of her engagement with civil society groups in Cuba on the side lines of the talks, Psaki said.
The U.S. and Cuban decided in December to work to end decades of hostilities between the two country and launched talks to re-established diplomatic relations.
Cuba recently released 53 political prisoners at the insistence of the U.S. as a precondition for the talks.
