'Cuba has to do absolutely nothing because it did not do anything to the United States,' Ricardo Alarcon, speaker of the Cuban national assembly and member of the Communist Party Politburo, told CNN television in an interview.

'The United States, however, has to do a lot,' added Mr Alarcon, who spoke from Canada, where he was attending an academic conference.

He cited the trade embargo maintained by Washington against his country since 1962; the US use of its naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which Havana opposes; and Cuba's inclusion in the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism.

In April, US President Barack Obama lifted travel and money transfer restrictions on Americans with relatives in Cuba.

He has not however, actively backed ending the 47-year-old US economic embargo on Cuba, instead urging Havana to show progress on human rights.

'We don't have to do absolutely anything except taking note of the corrective steps taken by the other side when they take place,' Mr Alarcon countered.

Cuban President Raul Castro was ready for dialogue with the United States on any issue, provided it took place 'in conditions of mutual respect,' he added.

'What we need to discuss is how to establish a normal relationship between the two countries in accordance with the principles of international law and common sense,' Mr Alarcon stated.

But even if that occurred, the two countries 'will continue to remain different.' -- AFP