JULIE PACE, Associated Press

MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the U.S. will end its outdated approach to Cuba that has failed to advance U.S. interests.

Obama is announcing Wednesday that the U.S. and Cuba have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations and open economic and travel ties.

Obama says the U.S. is changing its relationship with Cuba. He says it’s the most significant change in U.S. policy toward Cuba in more than 50 years.

Obama says the U.S. will now begin to normalize its relations with Cuba and begin a new chapter. He says the U.S. intends to create more opportunities for Americans and Cubans to work together.

 

———

JULIE PACE, Associated Press
MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has spoken to Cuban President Raul Castro about normalizing full diplomatic relations between the longtime foes.

Senior administration officials say the two leaders spoke by phone Tuesday for more than 45 minutes. It’s the first substantive conversation between U.S. and Cuban leaders since 1961.

The call follows more than a year of secret discussions between the U.S. and Cuban officials. The talks happened in Canada and the Vatican and included personal involvement by Pope Francis.

Obama will discuss the opening of relations with Cuba from the White House Wednesday. The officials insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly ahead of Obama’s announcement.