The United States and Cuba held the inaugural session of the bilateral commission in Havana today. The discussions were full and frankextensive and conducted in a courteous and respectful manner. Both governments agreed to concrete steps to continue on the path toward normalized relations.

The group discussed a preliminary timeline through the end of this year for engagements on key topics including human rights, combating trafficking in persons, claims, migration, counter-narcotics, regulatory issues, environmental cooperation, civil aviation, telecommunications and the internet, and direct mail.

The bilateral commission agreed to meet again in November in Washington, D.C. to review progress in these areas and to chart areas of cooperation for 2016.

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