Ireland and Cuba will soon establish formal diplomatic relations.
The decision by the Government will help in Ireland's attempt to win a term on the UN Security Council in 2001, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews.
The Minister has told The Irish Times that following his meeting in New York with the Cuban Foreign Minister, Mr Felipe Perez Roque, the diplomatic link will be established "fairly soon" .
Mr Andrews expressed his personal satisfaction that there would be an official link with Cuba where the father of the founder of Fianna Fail, Eamon de Valera, was born.
Ireland's first Ambassador to Cuba, who will present his diplomatic credentials to President Fidel Castro, will be Mr Art Agnew, who is soon to become Ireland's first resident Ambassador to Mexico. Mr Agnew, who is a present Ambassador to Argentina, will be accredited to Cuba on a non-resident basis.
Cuba is also expected to accredit one of its ambassadors to Ireland, possibly its representative in London. This is "under review", according to an Irish diplomat.
Ireland's decision to establish diplomatic relations was "well received" by the Cuban Foreign Minister, the official said.
Increasing numbers of Irish tourists have been visiting Cuba in recent years, using direct flights by the Russian airline, Aeroflot, between Shannon and Havana.