CUBAN and US diplomats announced a deal yesterday to restore regular commercial flights between the two countries that are likely to jump-start economic relations.

Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the historic agreement to normalise bilateral relations after more than half of century of mutual hostility.

The deal signed on Wednesday night after three days of talks in Washington opens the way for US airlines to negotiate with Cuba's government for routes that could bring thousands more visitors a day to the island.

Re-establishment of commercial US flights to Cuba would mark the biggest business development since the two countries began normalising relations last year.

Josefina Vidal, Cuba’s head of North American affairs in its foreign ministry, said: “On the political and diplomatic plane and in bilateral co-operation, we've seen important progress.

“In contrast, I have to say that in the area of economy and commerce the results are barely visible.”

Washington has expressed disappointment with what it calls Cuba’s unwillingness to co-operate with executive actions such as allowing US exports to the Cuban private sector and sales of equipment to the Cuban state telecommunications company.

Ms Vidal said that much of the blame lay with the Obama administration’s unwillingness so far to take bolder steps to loosen the US blockade on Cuba.

“There are very few things that, under the law, the president definitely can't change,” she said, urging the US president to allow the Cuban government to use dollars in international transactions and export goods to the US among other measures.

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