Costa Rican President Oscar Arias on Wednesday announced his decision to re-establish diplomatic ties with Cuba after a 48-year hiatus.

After a regular meeting of the Government Council, Arias said he has sent a note to Havana with the decision of abolishing the decree that suspended the ties in 1961.

Arias justified his decision by saying that Costa Rica should not be known by the rest of the world for antagonizing or excluding any people.

"Times change and Costa Rica must change with them. It is a step that gives coherence to our exterior policy," Arias said.

Arias said diplomatic ties with Cuba were broken during the Cold War era, but the world has changed since then, so in this moment the decision of re-establishing ties is adequate.

Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno said Costa Rica is waiting for a reply from the Cuban government because both sides must agree.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2009)