(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro met on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas gathering in Panama City, Panama, on Saturday, agreeing that their countries are now poised to move on a path to the future.
"This is obviously an historic meeting," Obama said. The history between the US and Cuba is complicated, he said, but after 50 years of policy that had not worked, "it was time for us to try something new.
"We are now in a position to move on a path toward the future," Obama said.
Obama said the majority of Americans and Cubans have responded positively to the policy change, which was announced in December.
Obviously there are going to be deep and significant differences between the US and Cuba, Obama said. The US will speak out for democracy and human rights, and Cuba will raise concerns about US policy, Obama said, but each side can disagree with a spirit of respect.
"Over time it is possible for us to turn the page and develop a new relationship between our two countries," he said.
Two issues facing the two sides in the near future are the opening of embassies in Washington and Havana.
Castro said he agreed with everything Obama said.
He said US and Cuban officials can have differences "with respect of the ideas of the others.
"We are willing to discuss everything, but we need to be patient, very patient," Castro said. "We might disagree on something today on which we could agree tomorrow."
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