Brussels, 03/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 2 December, European and Cuban negotiators made substantial progress in their talks on the bilateral association and cooperation agreement that is due to be finalised in the first six months of 2016.
“Really, there are very few subjects left for us”, said Christian Leffler, the deputy secretary general of the European External Action Service (EEAS), at the end of two days of negotiations (see EUROPE 11442). The EU and Cuba have indeed finalised their negotiations on the economic and trade section of the future agreement. On the cooperation section, “there are still a few points where we need to make progress”, said the European negotiator. An EEAS press release mentions issues linked to consular protection and support for economic operators and business organisations. Leffler also spoke of “very substantial” progress on the political dialogue section, while describing subjects such as the rule of law and human trafficking as “very difficult and sensitive”. “On the issue of migration, we still have a way to go”, he added.
As regards the issue of human rights, “there is not a common identity of criteria between the two parties”, said Cuba's foreign affairs minister Abelardo Moreno at a press conference, as quoted by Belgian news agency Belga. He nevertheless said he was happy with the progress made at the sixth session of bilateral negotiations.
Both parties agreed to meet again in Havana in early 2016. Leffler noted both parties' resolve to finalise the bilateral agreement swiftly. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)