(VOVworld) - The United States and Cuba have agreed to formally reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies at the end of this month.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden attend a press conference at the White House in Washington, the United States, July 1, 2015. (Photo: Xinhua)

At a press conference at the White House, US President Barack Obama announced the normalization of US-Cuba relations after half a century and the reopening of embassies in Washington and Havana. Mr. Obama said this is a historic step, and the beginning of a new chapter in the Americas.

The same day, the Cuba government made an official statement reestablishing diplomatic relations with the US and stressed its prerequisite condition for normalization of bilateral ties: removing the economic sanctions imposed by the US.