Washington, December 18 (RHC)-- U.S. President Barack Obama acknowledged Thursday advances in U.S.-Cuba ties, one year after the historic announcement on December 17th, 2014, that the two countries were re-establishing diplomatic relations.

Obama said that over the past twelve months, Washington and Havana have both taken important steps in the process toward normalized bilateral relations and pointed to the re-establishment of diplomatic ties and the re-opening of embassies in both countries' capitals as big highlights.

The U.S. president pointed to what Cuba considers “good, but still limited steps” to authorize travel to Cuba by increased numbers of American citizens, and others aimed at boosting bilateral trade, particularly in the telecommunications sectors.

Cuba has insisted that President Obama could use his executive powers and do a lot more than he has done thus far to repeal travel restrictions and several other major aspects of the U.S. blockade.