Brussels, 21/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 19 November, the Foreign Affairs Council mandated High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton to engage in negotiations with a view to concluding a cooperation agreement with Cuba. This decision comes the moment that a “positive evolution” is noted in the island, said Gonzalo de Benito Secades. Ashton will ask the European External Action Service and staff from the European Commission to work on a draft negotiating directive with a view to a possible bilateral agreement, a European source told EUROPE. “While waiting, the common position of 1996 is still in force and human rights remain an essential element in EU relations with Cuba”, she said. The Council of 25 October 2010 had asked Ashton to lead a reflection on the future of EU-Cuba relations and on the way of promoting EU values and interests in the country. (CG/transl.fl)