On US-Cuba relations: Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini

EU News 502/2014

Brussels, 17/12/2014
141217_03_en

Today another Wall has started to fall. President Obama's announcement of important US policy measures towards Cuba heralds a long awaited change in the fraught relations between the Caribbean island nation and its North American neighbour, for which I personally congratulated Secretary of State John Kerry today. The initiative to re-establish diplomatic relations after over half a century of estrangement and the proposals for expanding the possibilities of contact and exchanges between Cubans and Americans are an historical turning point.

(...)

This is also the EU approach. It is in this spirit that earlier this year we opened negotiations on a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement which would serve as an enabling framework for closer engagement in support of the on-going reform and modernisation process in Cuba. Human rights remain at the heart of EU policy towards Cuba. The EU seeks to expand relations with all parts of Cuban society, promoting economic and social progress, dynamic dialogue and strengthened respect for fundamental rights.

Source and additional information:
http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2014/141217_03_en.htm

File Photo: EU Delegation to Cuba. Group photo with the staff of the EU Delegation, in the presence of Androulla Vassiliou, 2nd from the right, in the 1st row, and Herman Portocarero, Head of the Delegation of the EU to Cuba, 2nd from the left, in the 2nd row Date: 11/02/2014 Reference: P-024995/00-08 Location: Havana Rapid: IP/14/122 MEX/14/0206 SPEECH/14/120 SPEECH/14/125 (C)EU, 2014 URL

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