Washington D.C., May 22, (RHC), -- The removal of Cuba from the controversial “State Sponsors of Terrorism List” is among recommendations to the U.S. government introduced by a bi-national academic committee on ways to contribute to a gradual improvement in bilateral relations.

The Cuba-United States Academic Workshop (TACE), a group led by the University of Havana, American University and the Regional Coordination for Economic and Social Research (CRIES), made its first public presentation of the joint recommendations on Monday, May 21, during a panel hosted by the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C.

Philip Brenner, a professor at American University,said during the conference that the issue of terrorism "is a big elephant in the room because both countries deal with it with great emotional charge" and “we -the members of TACE - think it is an area where there could be a constructive approach."

The U.S. State Department keeps Cuba on its list of countries that sponsor terrorism along with Iran, Sudan and Syria, to which it imposes sanctions including suspension of U.S.aidand a ban on export and sale of military equipment.

Cuba denies such allegations and accuses Washington of exploiting its so-called war on terrorism to expand its political and military influence around the planet.

The TACE, which brings together scholars, former diplomats and economists form both countries, has met six times since 2009 to discuss relations between Cuba and the United States and step up efforts to increase engagement and improve ties between the long time foes.

The United States imposed a economic blockade on Cuba in 1962. The two nations do not maintain formal diplomatic relations.

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