TOKYO -- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Tuesday his government was ready for a "respectful" dialogue with the United States, noting that since President Barack Obama took power there is "less tension" and "less rhetoric against Cuba."

"There is no change in U.S. policy," however, because the economic blockade of Cuba "remains intact and is applied to its full extent," Rodriguez said at a press conference on the third and last day of his state visit to Japan.

"The economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba remains intact and is applied to its full extent," Rodriguez said, adding that Obama "could use his executive powers" to "modify aspects of the blockade's application."

"We acknowledge President Obama's good intentions and honesty and we treat him with respect," Rodriguez said.

"The Cuban government is ready for a respectful dialogue at any level with the United States," the Cuban foreign minister said.


He noted that in recent months there have been "official talks on migration subjects and on a direct postal service" with the U.S., which have been "respectful and productive," and that in July Cuba presented the Americans with "a proposed agenda for an eventual bilateral dialogue."

"We await an answer from the U.S. government," Rodriguez told about 30 reporters gathered at Japan's National Press Club.

In response to a question on whether Japan's traditional alliance with the United States was influencing relations between Cuba and Tokyo, Rodriguez said that these are "historical" and "are not directed against any other country."


Cuba Foreign Minister in Japan