Brussels, 28/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - In a press release published on Sunday, the European Commission noted that it deplored Fidel Castro's calls for the EU's aid to Cuba to be rejected, noting that the EU had not yet been officially notified of this and that despite Castro's rejection, it would be continuing to provide aid to help the Cuban people, particularly those in greatest need. It pointed out that EU funding for Cuba has totalled EUR 145 million in a decade, with between EUR 15 and 20 million being granted every year.
At the end of celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of the start of the Cuban Revolution against dictator Fulgencio Batista, Castro said on Saturday that he was ready to renounce humanitarian aid from the EU for the sake of Cuba's dignity. At the beginning of his speech he attacked the EU for arrogance and drunken euro-narcissism and illusions about pursuing the political dialogue.
Castro is particularly unhappy with the diplomatic sanctions announced by the EU on 5 June, calling on Member States' embassies to invite Cuban dissidents to the celebrations. On 21 July, the Council decided that aid should continue as long as it directly benefits the Cuban population. In retaliation, European representatives were not invited to attend the celebrations of the start of the Cuban Revolution.
Fidel Castro also lashed out at the acceding countries, calling them the United States' Trojan horse in Europe, full of hatred for Cuba, which they had abandoned and never forgiven for fighting back, he said.