The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, warmly welcomes the announcement, on July 1st by the United States and Cuba, to restore, after 54 years, diplomatic relations between their countries and to reopen Embassies in Havana and Washington D.C. This historic decision opens a new chapter in the bilateral relations between the United States and Cuba.
Luxembourg encourages both sides to continue working in a constructive and negotiated manner towards the full normalization of their bilateral relations, including the lifting of the unilateral embargo, that is, as stated by the Spokesperson of the European External Action Service on July 1st, an "outdated and inconsistent instrument within the evolving context". Luxembourg welcomes President Obama’s commitment in this respect.
As confirmed by Minister Asselborn during the meeting with his Cuban colleague, Minister Rodríguez Parrilla, on April 23rd 2015 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg, alongside the European Union and its Member States, stands ready to further accompany Cuba in its modernization process.