The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, reiterated the willingness of Europeans to support the development of the Cuban economy through bilateral investment and trade on Monday 9 September in Havana, on the occasion of the second Joint Council under the EU/Cuba Cooperation Agreement in force since late 2016 (see EUROPE 11687/7).
“The European Union is the leading trading partner and investor in Cuba”, said Ms Mogherini, noting that trade has tripled in 2 years to reach “€140 million”.
She welcomed the trend towards economic liberalisation enshrined in the new Cuban Constitution, as well as President Díaz-Canel's June statements regarding the “internal blockage” linked to socio-economic organisation on the Caribbean island. “Opening up the economy and moving beyond what President Diáz-Canel has called the 'internal blockage' is of crucial importance”, the High Representative stressed, especially at a time when Cuba is facing major external challenges.
Helms-Burton Act. On behalf of the EU, Ms Mogherini thus reiterated the “rejection” by Europeans of the full activation by the United States of the Helms-Burton Act, which strengthens the US embargo against Cuba (see EUROPE 12246/7). “The EU considers the extraterritorial application of unilateral sanctions to be illegal and will use all appropriate measures to protect the legitimate interests of its citizens and businesses”, she added.
The Blocking Act, a 1996 regulation aimed at neutralising the extraterritorial effects of US sanctions on European companies (see EUROPE 12077/7), has thus been implemented.
On this issue, Ms Mogherini welcomed a “positive” decision by the Spanish justice system, which rejected, in early September, a request for compensation from a family of Cuban descendants to the Spanish hotel chain Meliá operating in Cuba.
The EU/Cuba cooperation agreement has made it possible to initiate political dialogues in many areas such as human rights and the fight against climate change. On this point, the High Representative noted the “vulnerability” of the Caribbean island and reiterated the EU's readiness to help find solutions for Cuba as a small island state. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)