Brussels, 30/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 December, Europe and Cuba are expected to record convincing progress as part of the negotiations leading to a bilateral association and cooperation agreement - even if this agreement will only be concluded in the first half of 2016.
“I hope to come out of this negotiation session with the outlook for a positive conclusion in the near future. I don't expect a conclusion the day after tomorrow”, a senior European official told a few journalists on Monday 30 November (see EUROPE 11380 and 11337). The official hoped that the future framework agreement laying the foundations for a partnership between the EU and Cuba in political and economic areas and cooperation would be tied up “in the first part of next year”.
On the European side, it is thought to be possible to conclude the trade section of this agreement this week, and perhaps also the cooperation section. There are hopes of “significant” progress on the political dialogue section. “No issue is off the negotiations table”, this source stated, believing “the right balance between European and Cuban interests” had to be found. However, this is not about Europe making Cuba recognise the importance of a multi-party system - especially because the visions of the two sides differ on this issue, and within the EU there are said to be 28 different definitions. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)