Luxembourg, 13/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - EU diplomatic sanctions taken in June 2003 against Cuba to protest against the imprisonment of 75 dissidents, are still pending according to a decision made on Monday by the EU foreign affairs ministers. They therefore confirmed the decision of 31 January to suspend the application of these measures provisionally, in an effort to re-establish dialogue with the authorities in Havana but also with the Cuban opposition, in an effort to encourage a democratic process and greater pluralism, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and lasting improvement in the living conditions of the Cuban people (EUROPE 8878). The policy of dialogue with Cuba (supported by Spain but also by most Member States) is therefore confirmed, even if the situation on the ground has not improved much. Therefore, in the conclusions adopted on Monday “the Council observes that there is no satisfactory progress on respect for human rights in Cuba…and deplores the absence of any further initiatives for opening up” by Fidel Castro with the exception of the release (in June and November 2004) of some political dissidents held since summer 2003. The conclusion confirm that, “the Council reiterates its urgent demand on Cuba to release without conditions, all political prisoners from the 75 Group and…all other political prisoners still in detention and to cease persecuting people for their political opinions”. Ministers condemn the measures limiting freedom of expression, the press and association. In its conclusions, the Council also notes some positive developments. Ministers are therefore pleased with the results obtained up to now in developing relations with the peaceful political opposition in Cuba and other wider sectors of civil society. The EU is particularly pleased with the holding of the Asamblea par promover la Sociedad Civil in Havana on 20 May but condemns the “unacceptable” expulsions of MPs and foreign journalists who wanted to attend this meeting of the Cuban opposition. Havana is called on the stop this kind of action “which prevents normal relations to develop between the EU and Cuba”. At the request of several delegations (Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and others), the Council has reinforced the conclusion in order to better underline the need to use this dialogue with Havana to reach practical improvements in human rights and democratic rights. The conclusions therefore stress that the dialogue has to be “targeted” to get “tangible results” on human rights, democratisation and release of political prisoners, as well as in political and economic areas. The conclusions explain that the question of human rights has to be evoked by every senior level visitor. German foreign affairs minister, Joschka Fischer insisted to the press that the dialogue with the Cuban authorities was not an end in itself and had to be an instrument for getting real improvements. Fischer warned that without this reinforced of the text of conclusions, it would be difficult for Germany to support the Council's decision to maintain the suspension of diplomatic sanctions.