Havana, January 22 (RHC) -- Talks between the governments of Cuba and the United States continue in Havana in a harmonious and respectful atmosphere, said Gustavo Machin, deputy director of the Cuban Foreign Ministry's Department for the United States.

In a brief contact with the press outside the room where the talks are taking place, Machin stressed each side had already expressed their requests and viewpoints, providing no further details.

The diplomat also highlighted the mutual agreement that the re-establishment of diplomatic relations must be based on the principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The talks are presided over by Josefina Vidal, Cuban Foreign Ministry’s US Department’s chief and Roberta Jacobson, US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

This round of meetings, that began January 21, will end Thursday evening with discussions on the economic blockade imposed by the U.S. government on Havana, and other issues of mutual interest like anti-terror and anti-drug cooperation.