Havana, July 1 (RHC) -– Cuba and the United States will open embassies in each other's capitals on or after July 20th, Cuba's Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday, citing decisions by Cuban President Raul Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama.

On Wednesday, two letters signed by both presidents were exchanged by Cuba's acting Foreign Minister Marcelino Medina and the current head of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Jeffrey DeLaurentis. The letters confirmed the decision by both presidents to restore diplomatic relations and open permanent diplomatic missions in each other's capitals as of July 20th.

In his letter, the Cuban president ratified Cuba's intention to develop friendly relations with its northern neighbor, based on the principles of non-intervention and respect for sovereignty and self-determination of the peoples.