Brussels, 24/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - Louis Michel, European Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner is making an official three-day visit to Cuba (24-27 March) to give concrete expression to the resumption of political dialogue made possible by the temporary lifting of EU diplomatic sanctions toward Cuba (EUROPE No 8906 and No 8878). The Commissioner plans to explore with his Cuban discussion partners what content should be given to political dialogue to meet the objective set by the EU Council's common position. Talks are foreseen with the topmost authorities (Vice-President Carlos Lage Davila, Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, Minister for Foreign Investment and Cooperation Marta Lomas Morales, and the president of the National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon), but also with the representatives of civil society, including dissidents.
The Commissioner will take advantage of his stay in Cuba to visit a project co-funded by ECHO, the Community's humanitarian aid office.