Brussels, 20/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - The group of Member States experts on Latin American issues decided last week to recommend to the Council of the EU that it temporarily ease (for six months) the diplomatic sanctions on Cuba imposed by the EU in June 2003. The experts also recommend that the Member States assess the impact of the suspension of sanctions in June 2005 in terms of changes in relations between Cuba and the EU and examine the EU's overall position on Cuba (which dates back to 1996). The new approach has the aim of winning the liberation of all political prisoners and re-establish normal diplomatic relations, explained the experts. The Council of the EU will decide on the recommendations in January 2005 under the Luxembourg Presidency and will probably discuss the matter at the External Relations Council of 31 January and 1 February, but it may also be endorsed by a different Council formation beforehand (without debate, under Point A of the agenda).
In terms of changing the diplomatic sanctions introduced by the EU in 2003 (following the arrest of 73 dissidents, some of whom have since been released), the experts propose to the Council that contact with political dissidents and Cuban civil society should be stepped up; the rules on invitations to national ceremonies and other events organised by Member States should be changed (in June 2003 it was decided to invite Cuban dissidents to such events, which displeased the Cuban regime, which in retaliation cut contact with representatives of the Member States in Cuba). Invitations will now be sent out to diplomats, but not to Cuban dissidents or high-ranking officials. The experts also suggest examining the option of resuming high-level visits on the express condition that human rights are on the agenda of every visit and contact with Cuban dissidents in Cuba continues in parallel. The EU should also continue to apply pressure for the liberation of all political prisoners, recommend the experts. They note: : 'We reaffirmed the consensus of all Member States that the main aims of the Union should be the release of all 75 political prisoners and the re-establishing of full diplomatic relations between the EU states and Cuba which have been frozen by the Cuban side.'
Last Thursday, in Official Journal C311 of 16 December 2004, draft Council Conclusions on Cuba caused some confusion. In its 'draft conclusions', the Council mentioned 'serious concern at the ongoing large-scale violation of human rights in Cuba' and noted that the sanctions imposed on 5 June 2003 would be maintained, including the invitation to dissidents and other members of civil society to attend national ceremonies organised by Member States. A Council spokesperson clarified this on Monday, describing it as an 'unfortunate error', noting that the document published in the Official Journal is not 'draft conclusions' to be adopted at a future date, but rather conclusions already approved by the Council on 14 June 2004.