U.S. and Cuba talk about resuming direct mail service

HAVANA (Reuters) - The United States and Cuba concluded on Monday their second round of talks aimed at re-establishing direct mail service between the two countries after a 50-year ban, but left for later the most sensitive issue - Cuban planes landing on U.S. soil.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry said both sides had agreed to continue the talks in the near future and that it had emphasized, "working out the transportation of mail by regular direct routes in both directions," was key to their successful conclusion.

The State Department said something very similar in a statement: "The goal of the talks is for the United States and Cuba to work out the details for a pilot program to directly transport mail between the two countries."

Cuba said talks between the postal services of the two countries took place "in a respectful manner," and the U.S. Interests Section said U.S. officials "described the discussions as fruitful."