THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

June 30, 2015

His Excellency

Raul Castro Ruz 

President of the Council of State
and the Council of Ministers
of the Republic of Cuba

Havana

Dear Mr. President:

I am pleased to con?rm, following high?level discussions between our two governments,
and in accordance with international law and practice, that the United States of America and the
Republic of Cuba have decided to re-establish diplomatic relations and permanent diplomatic
missions in our respective countries on July 20, 2015. This is an important step forward in the
process of normalizing relations between our two countries and peoples that we initiated last
December.

In making this decision, the United States is encouraged by the reciprocal intention to
develop respectful and cooperative relations between our two peoples and governments
consistent with the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,
including those related to sovereign equality of States, settlement of international disputes by
peaceful means, respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of States, respect
for equal rights and self-determination of peoples, non-interference in the internal affairs of
States, and promotion and encouragement of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all.

The United States and Cuba are each parties to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic
Relations, signed at Vienna on April 18, 1961, and the Vienna Convention on Consular
Relations, signed at Vienna on April 24, 1963. I am pleased to con?rm the understanding of the
United States that these agreements will apply to diplomatic and consular relations between our
two countries.

Sincerely,