EU foreign ministers agree to 'deepen' dialogue with Cuba
(LUXEMBOURG) - EU nations want to deepen dialogue with Cuba, despite concerns over the lack of progress on human rights, EU foreign ministers agreed Monday.
The ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, gave the clearest indication yet that Europe is working towards normalising relations with a country once deemed a diplomatic pariah.
EU nations believe that "political dialogue with Cuba should be pursued and deepened on a comprehensive, equal and result-oriented basis," the ministers from the 27-nation group said in a joint statement.
"We keep the door open for continued dialogue," said Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout, after chairing the talks as his country holds the rotating EU presidency.
The text stressed that "comprehensive dialogue" should not only be with the Cuban authorities but also "with representatives of civil society and peaceful pro-democracy opposition."
The EU adopted a policy in 1996 which calls for a transition towards diplomatic pluralism and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba.
That policy, revised annually, was toughened in 2003 with the imposition of sanctions following a crackdown on dissidents in Cuba.
The sanctions, scrapped last year under pressure from Spain, were largely symbolic -- limiting bilateral official visits and inviting Cuban dissidents into EU nations' embassies to celebrate national holidays.
Since the removal of European sanctions, to encourage President Raul Castro to stride out into the "post-Fidel" era, the EU has also resumed development aid to the island, set at a figure of 40 million euros (54 million dollars) this year.
The EU foreign ministers stressed that human rights remains of foremost importance in its dealings with Cuba, stating serious concern at "the lack of progress in the situation of human rights in Cuba" and calling for the unconditional release of all political prisoners.
They also made clear that the policy of dialogue with the "peaceful pro-democracy opposition remains valid."
EU nations will look at the policy again in 12 months, especially on human rights.
Last month EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel championed the swift normalisation of ties with Havana, saying that otherwise "the Americans will do so before us."
US President Barack Obama in April scrapped restrictions on travel and remittances to the island for Cubans living in the United States.
The EU declaration came after a compromise between those like Michel who want to see swift normalisation and those such as Sweden and the Czechs who would prefer to maintain a lever to seek human rights improvements.
In February Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheal Martin became the most senior EU official to visit Cuba since the renewal of relations.
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