The U.S. State Department says it has offered to resume talks with Cuba on Cuban migration to the United States.
The State Department said Friday it proposed that the discussions be restarted to "reaffirm both sides' commitment to safe, legal and orderly migration." There was no immediate response from Cuban officials to the offer. Talks on the issue were suspended in 2003.
The U.S. employs a "wet foot, dry foot" policy for illegal Cuban immigrants. Under the policy, Cubans who make it to U.S. soil usually are allowed to stay. Those intercepted at sea are most often returned.
The latest move by the U.S. follows President Barack Obama's decision in April to ease travel and money transfer restrictions on Cuban-Americans with relatives on the island. But Mr. Obama left the long-standing U.S. embargo against Cuba in place. He has said it is up to Cuba to take the next step.
Cuban President Raul Castro recently repeated an offer to discuss "everything" with the United States to try to improve ties, but said Cuba does not have to make "gestures" to the U.S.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.