07/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - The government of Cuba has officially informed the Luxembourg EU Presidency of its decision to restore normal diplomatic relations with the embassies of eight EU Member States in La Havana (France, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Portugal and Sweden - see EUROPE of 5 January, p.4). The EU Presidency reacted by stressing that the resumption of such relations with all embassies and with the European Commission representation in La Havana was "indispensable" in the context of restoring normal diplomatic relations between the European Union and Cuba. The Luxembourg Presidency also called for the release of all political prisoners still held in Cuba.