Brussels, 05/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - On Monday the General Affairs Council adopted the following conclusions:
"The Council took note of the eighth assessment that took place in June, though they continue to see contradictory signals, no fundamental change in policy by the Cuban government has been seen, neither in the sense of the realisation of the aims set out by the common position nor in the contrary sense. The Council reaffirmed that the European Union's aims towards Cuba still consist of encouraging a peaceful transition process towards a pluralistic democracy, the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, thriftiness and a sustainable economic recovery as well as a raising of the standards of living for the Cuban people. In this direction, the Council feels that it is crucial for the EU to deploy additional efforts to bring the Cuban authorities to participate in a constructive and honest dialogue over a series of issues of common interest, which may truly provide tangible results, notably in the political and economic fields and also for civil rights. Thus it moves to strengthen the implementation of confidence building measures in the spirit of the common position, which remain the basis of relations with Cuba.
The Council notes that the European Union is presently the main economic partner of Cuba. In the context of the economic difficulties hitting Cuba, and most importantly the most vulnerable sections of the population, the Council feels that the European Union must, however, continue its present effort of cooperation as described in the eighth assessment, and which could also extend to the protection of the environment and the prevention of natural catastrophes in accordance with the aims of the common position. The Council recalls the importance that the EU attaches to the accession of Cuba to the principals contained in the conventions relating to civil political and social rights and especially with regards to the death penalty.
The Council feels that it is right to continue to the debate relating to the reviewing of EU relations with Cuba".