Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes U.S.-Cuba thaw

Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes U.S.-Cuba thaw

BELGRADE -- Serbia "welcomes the historic U.S.-Cuba agreement on a humanitarian release of prisoners and opening a new chapter in the relations between the two countries."

The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued this statement on Friday.

With our own experiences in mind, we are convinced that open issues can only be solved through dialogue and active efforts towards overcoming differences and promoting common values and interests, the statement said.

The decision on normalizing relations is significant for the two countries, as well as for the entire international community, as it represents a symbol of the triumph of diplomacy, which is particularly important in the context of current developments in international relations, the ministry said.

"We believe that, after the first steps towards easing the relations, room will open up for a constructive approach to solving all contentious issues in the relations between these two countries, with which the Republic of Serbia maintains friendly relations," the statement said.

Opponents

The BBC is reporting today that "opponents of President Barack Obama's new Cuba policy have threatened to block his efforts to restore diplomatic relations after 50 years of hostility."

Florida Senator Marco Rubio promised on CNN to block the nomination of any U.S. ambassador to Cuba, the British broadcaster said.

Other anti-Castro legislators suggested Congress would remove funding for any normalized ties with the country, according to the report.