Brussels, 07/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - Cuba has accepted the EU's proposal of 10 February to start a dialogue with regard to normalising their relations, said Cuba's Minister for Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez on 6 March. “Cuba welcomes this proposal from the high representative, which means the end of unilateral relations [of the member states] of the EU with Cuba, and agrees to open negotiations on this issue”, he told press. “Contacts will be established at the diplomatic level to determine the modalities and timetable for this process which will certainly be long”, Rodriguez stated. The resumption of the dialogue aims to encourage Cuba to continue its reforms in terms of human rights. The dialogue was suspended in 2003.
The EU delegation to Cuba “welcomed the positive decision of the government of Cuba to move forward in the process of negotiation and its interest in recommencing the dialogue at ministerial level”. “The two parties will initiate the process as soon as possible, in a constructive and mutually respectful spirit”, added a press release from the delegation. (CG)