Cuba willing to hold talks with U.S. on equal footing

HAVANA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez said Friday that the Cuban government is willing to negotiate with the United States on equal footing without compromising its principles. Perez made the remarks during the Non-Alliance Movement (NAM) meeting on Margarita island off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. Answering questions about the prospect for relations between the two countries after the U.S. presidential elections in November, he said it is premature to make any comment on this, but one thing is certain: Cuba's principled positions will remain unchanged. These include safeguarding Cuba's national independence, building the country free of any foreign interference and opposition to the economic blockade imposed by... [read full story]