Brussels, 26/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 25 June, the European Union and Cuba held their first human rights dialogue meeting in Brussels. The two partners are currently negotiating an association and cooperation agreement which could be sealed by the end of 2015 (see EUROPE 11300).
The EU representative, Stavros Lambrinidis, and his counterpart from Cuba's foreign affairs ministry, Pedro Nunez Mosquera, spoke about the method for this dialogue. The dialogue is intended to improve mutual understanding on human rights issues and will be held on an annual basis. Among the subjects to be addressed are gender issues, violence against women, children's rights, the freedom of expression and association, and migration.
This first dialogue meeting enabled “a frank and respectful preliminary exchange on issues of substance with a view to building trust [and] enhancing mutual understanding”, the European External Action Service (EEAS) stated in a press release. (Mathieu Bion)