Luxembourg, 15/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 15 June, the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU took position in favour of continuing and extending political dialogue with the Cuban authorities, but also with representatives of civil society and the democratic opposition in the country. Meeting for their "External Relations" Council in Luxembourg, the 27 nonetheless stressed that they would be paying "particular attention" to the principles of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms. Official contact with the Cuban government was suspended in 2003 further to the imprisonment of a large number of dissidents. In 2005, these "restrictive measures" were suspended; they were abolished in full in June 2008. Political dialogue with Havana should be "global and based on results", particularly in terms of democratisation and respect for human rights, the Council stresses in conclusions it adopted on Monday. The ministers furthermore remain "extremely concerned at the lack of progress on the human rights situation in Cuba, particularly in the field of civil and political rights, and regarding political reforms". This issue, the conclusions state, is "one of the essential priorities" for the EU. The EU will continue to offer support to all sectors of society in order to promote respect for human rights and genuine progress on the path to democratic pluralism in Cuba, stressed the ministers, who also call on the Cuban government unconditionally to free all political prisoners, including those who were arrested and sentenced in 2003. International humanitarian organisations should immediately be granted access to Cuban prisons, the conclusions continue. The Council also welcomes the resumption of development cooperation, which, the ministers state, will help to improve living conditions for the Cuban population.
In the meantime, the EU will continue to cultivate a close relationship with the democratic opposition in Cuba. On Monday, the Council reiterated that its policy on contact between the EU and the peaceful democratic opposition remained valid. Basically, this means that during high-level visits of representatives of European institutions for the Member States, human rights issues will systematically be raised and meetings with the peaceful democratic opposition held. (H.B./trans.fl)