CUBA and the United States will debate human rights at a meeting in Washington on Tuesday, Cuban deputy director for multilateral affairs and international law Pedro Luis Pedroso confirmed on Thursday.

“These conversations about human rights show that Cuba is ready to discuss any topic with the US, despite our differences and on the basis of equality,” he said.

The discussions appear unlikely to lead to any short-term changes in the way that either country regards questions of human rights.

Washington is expected to press Cuba to allow its citizens greater freedom of speech, assembly and political activity, while Havana is likely to respond with critiques of poverty, insufficient healthcare coverage and police brutality in the US.

However, even the start of a dialogue indicates progress in the countries’ broader move to normalise relations.

The US had hoped to open an embassy in Havana by next month’s Summit of the Americas in Panama.