Brussels, 11/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Havana on Friday 11 March, the Europeans and Cubans finalised their negotiations for the conclusion of a bilateral cooperation association agreement.
This agreement will make it possible to “consolidate the relations between Cuba and the European Union in the medium and long-term, a relation based on reciprocity, respect and mutual benefit”, the two sides declared in a joint statement. On her Twitter account, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, described the conclusion of the agreement as an “historic” step.
The future cooperation agreement, which was sealed a few days ahead of a visit to Havana of American President Barack Obama, which has still to be validated by both sides, will provide a framework to breathe new life into the relationship between the EU and Cuba. It contains three planks: political, cooperation and economic and commercial. In this way, the Europeans have resolved to benefit from the economic transition underway on the Caribbean island. In line with the Cuban request, the agreement guarantees the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. Indeed, it does not lay down an optimum political organisational model, but creates a framework for dialogue on the controversial issue of human rights.
The agreement automatically cancels out the 'common position' of the Council of December 1996, which makes full cooperation with Cuba subordinate to the improvement of the human rights and political freedom situation. However, as the two processes are legally separate, this Council position may not be revoked until after a new formal decision of the 'Foreign Affairs' Council.
On Friday, the European Commission pledged €10 million in aid, which will be used, amongst other things, to reinforce the Cuban administrative capacity (€7.7 million) and 'sustainable' food production in the country (€1.3 million). (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)