19/03/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 13 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini told the European Parliament during a debate that the European Union and Cuba will hold their first joint council in May, as part of the association agreement that has been temporarily in force since November 2017 (see EUROPE 11823, 11687). Sectoral dialogues on renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and culture will be started during this council, which will take place in the year that Havana celebrates the 500th anniversary of its foundation. Mogherini repeated Europe's opposition to the US embargo imposed on this Caribbean island, which the Trump administration has hardened (see EUROPE 11932). She also backed David McAllister's (EPP, Germany) desire to send a delegation to Cuba from the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee. (MB)