Photo: Prensa Latina.

Havana, Jan 27 (RHC) There is much to be done to build better trade relations between Cuba and the United States if we lift the current restrictions, said Michael Scuse, Delaware Agriculture Commissioner, on Thursday in Havana.

We are not responsible for what happened 60 years ago, but we are responsible for what happens from now on and some issues can be solved, added the Secretary of State of that region, Jeffrey W. Bullock, referring to the origins of the economic blockade imposed by his country on the Caribbean Island.

Both officials lead a high-level delegation from the state of Delaware, United States, which arrived in Cuba earlier this week to strengthen trade ties in agriculture and find solutions to the obstacles limiting bilateral trade.

During a press conference on Thursday at the Grand Aston Hotel, Scuse commented that the economic blockade is a decision that is more than 60 years old and it is time for the policies to change. Hopefully, we can help those changes, even if they are gradual, he said.

From his perspective, a first step could be to lift the current restrictions and return to the regulations in place during President Barack Obama's term.

"There are opportunities to increase trade in agriculture and beyond, to increase collaboration between ministries and universities, we will go home to share results of this visit and evaluate all the areas where we can link up," he said.

For his part, Bullock said that the trip to the island made it possible to identify the main obstacles to trade and "find ideas to improve relations for the benefit of both peoples".

Political and financial issues are not insignificant challenges, but they can be solved and we have the will to contribute to this when we return to our country, he said.

As part of the agenda of the visit, the delegation spoke with vice ministers and officials at the headquarters of the portfolios of Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, as well as with administrators of the Food Marketing Company, ALIMPORT.

Bullock said he was impressed by how sincere and direct the Cuban officials were during the meetings, with a practical, step-by-step approach to solving concrete problems.

At the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, they had a "fascinating exchange on the studies developed by its researchers on issues such as human, animal and plant health", described the Commissioner of Agriculture.

They also visited two private businesses and noted the changes that have taken place in the sector as a result of the new measures applied by Cuba (Source: Prensa Latina).