The first dialogue between Cuba and the United States on disarmament and non-proliferation took place in New York on Friday.

A Cuban UN mission press release notes that discussions were held in a professional and respectful environment, but one that was marked by profound differences.

The Cuban delegation stressed that the mere existence of nuclear weapons poses a serious threat to the survival of humanity, and said there is an urgent need for nuclear disarmament.

Cuba also said that the U.S. policy of blockade, with provisions affecting cooperation at the level of multilateral and legal agreements, was incompatible with instruments signed by the two countries like the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The Cuban UN mission's press release said the discussions were held at the proposal of the U.S. side, and they demonstrated that, in spite of the differences, Cuba is ready to sit down with the U.S. to talk about any issue, provided that such talks are based on equality, respect and reciprocity.