BRUSSELS: The EU, seeking to normalise its own ties with Havana, on Wednesday welcomed a breakthrough US-Cuba accord to re-establish diplomatic relations after more than 50 years as a "historical turning point."
The agreement represents "a victory of dialogue over confrontation," EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said, adding that the EU also hoped ultimately to be able to "expand relations with all parts of Cuban society."
"Today another Wall has started to fall," Mogherini said, with the Cuban stance encouraging optimism "about a real change."
The European Union and Cuba began normalisation talks this year after ties were suspended in 2003 when Havana launched a crackdown and jailed 75 dissidents in a direct response to calls for liberalisation and greater respect for human rights.
Two rounds of talks were held but earlier this month Cuba suspended a planned third round which would have tackled the sensitive rights dossier.
Cuba is the Americas' only one-party, communist-ruled state and is alone in Latin America in not having a political dialogue with the EU.
The EU bases its approach to Cuba on a 1996 "common position" document which states that economic cooperation must go hand in hand with advances towards a pluralistic democracy and respect of human rights.
Mogherini said the EU had pursued the talks hoping to establish a "framework for closer engagement in support of the ongoing reform and modernisation process in Cuba."
"Human rights remain at the heart of EU policy towards Cuba," she said.
"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."
Comments
Comments are closed.