The U.S. and Cuba have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations by reopening embassies in both Washington and Havana. The move is the biggest reconciliatory step toward ending the hostility between both nations that began in 1961 after the Cuban Revolution.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry revealed that President Obama has agreed with President Raul Castro for both nations to reopen their embassies on July 20, Reuters reported. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to explain the plan in further details.

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Kerry is also expected to travel to Cuba this month to oversee the historic reopening of the U.S. embassy in the communist island nation. The new U.S. embassy would likely be established in the U.S. 'interest sections,' a diplomatic post in Havana which housed the American embassy prior to the revolution.

BBC reported that since 1977, the U.S. and Cuba have been operating diplomatic missions christened 'interest sections' in the capitals of both countries. These 'interest sections' function under the legal protection of the Swizz government. However, they don't enjoy the same privileges as full embassies.

At the moment, the exact date when the embassies would be reopened in both capitals has not been announced. Additionally, the U.S. State Department must inform Congress of the plan two weeks before the reopening of the embassy.

The U.S. and Cuba began making strides to normalize ties in December last year after the announcement of secret negotiations between both countries to re-establish diplomatic ties.

President Obama and President Raul Castro met in April. Their meeting in Panama marked the first time that leaders of both countries have held talks in more than half a century. In May, the government officially removed Cuba from Washington's list of sponsors of state terrorism.

Plans have also been announced for the re-establishment of ferry and air transportation services between both countries. However, U.S. citizens are still barred from traveling to the Communist island. However, CNN reports that the U.S. has since loosened some travel limitations and approved some new economic ties.

President Obama has further encouraged Congress to lift a U.S. arms embargo on Cuba, which has been in effect since 1962.

TagsU.S.-Cuba, U.S.-Cuba to Reopen Embassies, U.S.-Cuba interest sections