EU sets new course on Cuba
(BRUSSELS) - The European Union set its ties with Cuba on a fresh course Monday, opting to launch political talks with Havana while keeping an eye on political reform and human rights.
At talks in Brussels, foreign ministers from the 28-nation bloc endorsed a negotiating mandate for a political and cooperation agreement that ultimately will open the way also to broader trade and economic ties.
"I hope Cuba will take up this offer, and that we can work towards a stronger relationship," said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton as ministers greenlighted the opening of bilateral talks on a "Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement".
Though EU sources say the new deal may be two to three years in the making, the decision marks the bloc's most important policy shift since the EU resumed diplomatic ties with the Communist nation five years ago.
But with many in Europe still concerned over the fate of dissidents and the progress of democracy in the western hemisphere's last one-party state, the EU has stressed it remain vigilant on these questions.
"This is not a policy change from the past," Ashton said.
"Just as we want to support reform and modernisation in Cuba, we have consistently raised human rights concerns which will remain at the core of the relationship."
The EU froze relations in 2003 after Cuban authorities threw 75 opponents behind bars but resumed contacts on their release in 2008.
Until now, however, ex-Communist members of the EU such as the Czech republic and Poland had vigorously opposed calls from Spain and others to set the relationship on a fresh course.
While individual EU nations have signed bilateral accords with Cuba, the bloc's policy as a whole remained based on a 1996 position linking relations to an improvement in human rights.
Progress on rights will remain a key concern. "Our main aim through dialogue and cooperation is to support and accompany change on the island... and encourage more respect for fundamental and human rights," said a senior EU diplomat.
The EU began exploring a softening in the bloc's stance following reforms launched three years ago by Cuban President Raul Castro.
Since 2008 it has channelled some 80 million euros ($110 million) in development aid to Cuba.
While the United States has maintained its trade embargo with Cuba, the EU is the Caribbean island's second biggest trading partner after Venezuela and a leading source of foreign investment.
Besides cigars and sugar, Cuba's beaches attract thousands of holidayers from Europe each year, offering potential investments to EU firms.
Castro and US President Barack Obama shared a significant handshake late last year at a memorial ceremony for Nelson Mandela but their countries have not had full diplomatic relations since 1961.