Brussels, 18/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - Europeans have not been short on historic statements to describe the outlook of a new era in relations between the US and Cuba.
“Today another wall has started to fall”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on Wednesday 17 December. The initiative to relaunch diplomatic relations after 50 years of being frozen, and the measures announced that will enable exchanges between Cubans and Americans to be expanded, are “a historical turning point”, she said.
In February 2014, the EU gave the European Commission a mandate to conclude an association and cooperation agreement with Cuba (see EUROPE 11015). Such an agreement would serve as a framework for political reforms in Cuba, according to Mogherini. “The EU seeks to expand relations with all parts of Cuban society, promoting economic and social progress, dynamic dialogue and strengthened respect for fundamental rights”, she added. Europeans and Cubans have until now held two negotiation sessions on a possible cooperation agreement - the last taking place in August (see EUROPE 11142). A third session was due to have taken place in December but was cancelled at the request of the Cuban side. The two sides are to set a new date for negotiation in January.
In the view of the leader of the S&D Group at the European Parliament, Gianni Pittella (Italy), a “dramatic page of 20th-century history has been turned”. His counterpart in the GUE/NGL Group, Gabi Zimmer (Germany), called on the US to lift the embargo against Cuba definitively.
Among the measures decided by Cuba and the US are the re-opening of embassies, the release of prisoners, and the facilitation of trade and people exchanges. (MB)