Raul Castro tells of 'new stage' for US-Cuba relations

Raul Castro has said Cuba and the United States are entering a new era as they prepare to restart diplomatic relations next week, but insisted more changes in American policy towards the communist-run island were necessary.

In his first public comments since the two governments announced that their diplomatic missions currently known as “interests sections” would enjoy full embassy status from July 20, President Castro’s remarks to Cuba’s parliament sounded both a welcoming and cautious tone.