Cuban, U.S. officials hold talks on telecommunications, Internet

PanARMENIAN.Net - Cuban officials said they have held two days of talks with their U.S. counterparts about telecommunications and the Internet, the Associated Press reports.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the two sides exchanged views on using the Internet for "economic and social development."

The Ministry said Friday, Jan 22, that Cuban officials also raised complaints about the U.S. Embargo's negative impact on island communications. It said U.S. telecom executives accompanied the delegation to Cuba, but did not give details.

Washington and Havana have advanced talks on several areas of cooperation in the year since they announced they would restore diplomatic relations.

Internet access in Cuba remains rare and restricted. Last year the government opened up dozens of public Wi-Fi hotspots, though the cost is prohibitively expensive for many islanders at $2 per hour.