During the Council meeting, according to the official website of Cuba’s Foreign Ministry, the parties reviewed progress on implementation of the Agreement on Political Dialogue and Cooperation (ADPC), signed in 2016 between Cuba and the European Union and its member states.

Previously, on September 3, the first meeting of the Joint Committee between Cuba and the European Union, which assists the Council in fulfilling its functions and obligations, was also held in Havana. On this occasion, the Cuban delegation was headed by Emilio Lozada García, general director for Bilateral Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, and a European Union delegation, led by Hugo Sobral, deputy director for the Americas witin the European External Action Service.

The first Cuba-European Union Joint Council took place in Belgium on May 15, 2018. During the meeting, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and the head of European diplomacy, Federica Mogherini, signed a cooperation agreement involving 18 million euros, to support the development of renewable energies in the Caribbean nation, Prensa Latina reported.

The high level meeting was agreed upon when the Agreement on Political Dialogue and Cooperation entered into effect November 1, 2017, with which a new framework was established for the ties between the Cuba and the regional bloc.

(Granma)

During her speech before the regional parliament, the head of the European diplomacy stressed the importance of the first joint council with the Caribbean nation, which ‘is scheduled for mid-May and will be an opportunity to consolidate and increase the actions carried out so far.’

This new stage is very promising. We will discuss with the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez, the beginning of cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and culture, he pointed out.

The Italian politician stressed that this latter sector has enormous potential in terms of increasing and deepening relations between the two sides.

She also indicated that during the meeting the negative consequences of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba for more than 50 years will be analyzed.

‘The EU’s position on that issue is very clear. We believe that this measure only harms the Cuban people and its economy,’ she assured.

On the other hand, she reiterated the bloc’s intentions to expand the exchange and strengthen its relations with Cuba.

(Prensa Latina)

The document was signed by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, and EU Foreign Policy High Representative Federica Mogherini, representing the regional bloc’s member countries.

In statements made during the signing ceremony, Rodríguez and Mogherini noted the significance of the agreement which should contribute to the positive development of bilateral relations in the future.

The two diplomats held a meeting at the European Council’s headquarters in Brussels prior to the signing.

The Cuban Foreign Minister commented that economic ties with Europe will continue to be a priority for the island country focused on the construction of a sustainable and efficient economy.

Mogherini also highlighted Fidel Castro as an historic figure and conveyed condolences to the government and people of Cuba, on the occasion of the revolutionary leader’s death.

Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno explained recently that the signing of this new agreement comes in the wake of the revocation of the so-called Common Position adopted by the EU in 1996, which was rejected by Cuba given its unilateral, interventionist, discriminatory nature.

(Prensa Latina)

Before signing the document, Rodríguez will hold a meeting with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.

The agreement to be signed between Havana and the EU follows the repeal of the Common Position adopted by the regional bloc in 1996, which since its adoption was firmly rejected by Cuba due to its unilateral, interventionist, selective and discriminatory nature, Deputy Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno recently stated.

He also noted that this policy had been de facto superseded since 2008, as evidenced by the positive evolution in recent years of Cuba’s ties with the European Union and its member states.

According to the official, the Agreement will for the first time provide a reciprocal, respectful and mutually advantageous contractual framework for relations between the two parties, for the development of political dialogue and cooperation, including trade facilitation.

(Prensa Latina)

According to the official EU website, the decision to sign the agreement — which is still pending a further approval process — was taken by European officials in the Belgian capital and is expected to be ratified shortly by the European Council.

As such, EU member states confirmed their support for the three initiatives put forward last September by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.

Mogherini insisted that these measures will be taken to “formally repeal” the so-called Common Position (a policy adopted in 1996 by the European bloc to regulate its ties with Cuba) and thus encourage better relations between the EU and the Caribbean nation.

The EU Council of Ministers must approve the decision, which also requires the subsequent agreement of the European Parliament in order to be implemented.

The official signing of the document by Mogherini and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez will be held next Monday, December 12.

Cuba and the EU began the process of negotiating the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) in April 2014, which was signed on March 11 this year, during a ceremony in Havana attended by Mogherini.

STATEMENT BY DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ABELARDO MORENO

Cuba welcomes the decisions taken by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of the European Union on December 6, 2016, in Brussels, with which the bloc concluded the process of internal consultations and decisions regarding the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba, on the one hand, and the European Union and its Member States, on the other.

Cuba recognizes in particular the political significance of the decision that definitively repeals the so-called Common Position of 1996, which since its adoption was firmly rejected by our country due to its interventionist, selective and discriminatory nature. This unilateral policy had been de facto superseded, as evidenced by the positive evolution in recent years of Cuba’s ties with the European Union and its member states.

For Cuba it was imperative that such a vestige of the past, contradictory to the bases of equality, reciprocity and respect, on which relations with the European Union have developed since 2008, be completely removed.

The decisions adopted by the EU create the conditions for the signing of the Agreement, which will for the first time provide a reciprocal, respectful and mutually advantageous contractual framework for relations between the two parties, for the development of political dialogue and cooperation, including trade facilitation.

(Cubaminrex)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, presented the document this Thursday, September 22, and stressed that it is the result of productive and constructive joint efforts between Cuba and the EU and “marks the turning point in our relations.”

A statement from the European Commission (EC), the executive body of the European Union, states that the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) with Cuba will be reviewed by the European Council composed of 28 heads of state or government of the member countries before the official signing, expected in the coming months.

According to the statement, the agreement “opens new avenues to support Cuba’s process of economic and social modernisation, to foster sustainable development, democracy and human rights, as well as to seek common solutions to global challenges.”

Mogherini highlighted that the agreement “creates a clear common framework for intensified political dialogue, increased cooperation across a wide range of policy areas, and a precious platform for developing joint action on regional and international issues.”

The head of European diplomacy indicated that once signed, the new agreement will mean an end to the so-called “Common Position” on Cuba, adopted in 1996, which has prevented normal ties between the EU and the island.

The approval of the PDCA will mark the conclusion of a process started in October 2008 between the two parties, aimed at re-launching political dialogue and cooperation on a reciprocal basis, with an unconditional, non-discriminatory nature, and with full respect for the sovereign equality of states.

(Prensa Latina)

(European Union External Action)

Federica Mogherini.—I am here to celebrate a historic step in our relations.

Cuba and the European Union have concluded their negotiations for a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA). The PDCA will mark the beginning of a new phase of the bilateral relations. This contractual arrangement is a landmark demonstration of the improved mutual trust and understanding between us. It creates a clear framework for intensified political dialogue, and a platform for developing joint action and cooperation on global matters in multinational fora.

The PDCA will also generate new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, both technical and financial and policy dialogues in many sectors, and to boost economic cooperation and exchanges between Cuba and the EU.

The end of negotiations and upcoming signature of the Agreement mark the end of the EU’s 1996 Common Position as the Union’s instrument defining its external relations with Cuba. This unilateral policy had already envisaged the perspective of a contractual arrangement and will now be superseded by the PDCA.

I will propose a Council decision to repeal it formally, in parallel to the processes leading to the signature of the agreement.

Both Cuba and the EU will now work, with their respective stakeholders and through their corresponding internal processes to ensure a swift signature and ratification of the agreement.

We are excited about the prospect of turning the PDCA into reality and achieve its objectives: enhancing EU-Cuba relations, promoting dialogue and cooperation to foster sustainable development, democracy and human rights, accompanying the process of “updating” the Cuban economy and society and finding common solutions to global challenges.

During my visit, I have held with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla our second formal political dialogue meeting. This is an important opportunity to exchange views, develop a better understanding for each other, and enabling us to find common solutions to issues of mutual interest.

We have addressed our bilateral relations, regional issues in the Cuban and EU vicinity and global matters of mutual concern, such as migration.

Regarding bilateral relations, we have spoken about the situation in the EU, confronted with economic challenges, instability and violence in our closest neighbourhood, the refugee crisis and the fight against terrorism.

And we have also talked about the situation in Cuba, the difficult economic situation and the modernisation process it is facing.

We have addressed the Cuba-US opening process, and the many opportunities and challenges involved. We agree that the US embargo is completely obsolete and outdated. Now the priorities are dialogue and cooperation, and the embargo is an obstacle which has to end. Its extraterritorial effects are illegal. The EU position is clear: we don’t accept that EU companies are penalised. We will work with determination to put an end to this issue which affects economic activity and development. Both Cuba and EU will work with the US to push for an end of these measures, which cause undue harm to Cuban people and society.

Concerning international relations, we spoke about international crises, such as the Middle East, as well as issues in the America region.

I congratulated Cuba for the facilitation of the Colombian peace process hosted here in Havana. We also spoke about the developments in Venezuela, where we hope for a constructive dialogue necessary to address the deteriorating political deadlock, economic and security situation.

A year ago, FM Rodriguez and I agreed on launching a dedicated Human Rights dialogue to exchange views on this important and sensitive area. We wanted to develop our mutual understanding, and sound out possibilities for cooperation. This is destined to become an important part of the new PDCA framework.

A first meeting was held in Brussels in June 2015, under the leadership of EUSR for Human Rights Lambrinidis. It was a very constructive encounter and we had frank exchanges, on the concepts of HR, on the respective situation and recent developments in the EU and Cuba; respectful of the sovereignty of each other but mindful of the universality of human rights.

We are now preparing for a second meeting of this Human Rights dialogue and we hope that it will take place in Cuba in the coming months.

During my last visit, we signed the EU’s Multi-annual Indicative Programme for Cuba with an allocation of € 50 million for the period of 2014-2020. This is another important EU contribution strengthening EU-Cuba relations and supporting the development of the island.

The MIP underpins the economic and social modernisation strategy adopted the Cuban government: a sustainable, more productive agriculture sector, a better use of key natural resources, in particular renewable energies and water, as well as an updated economic and societal model.

In the meantime, project of 8 million EUR is implemented. We will continue our support to the tax administration, to facilitate Cuban trade with the EU and the world, but we have extended the offer of experts’ exchanges to other Ministries, like the Ministries of Labor and Justice.

In the energy sector, a stocktaking mission of EU experts took place in January to identify strategic areas, where EU transfer of experience and know how would have the greatest impact and leverage to boost transformation of the Cuban energy sector.

I look forward to continuing our engagement with a view to supporting Cuba’s sustainable socio-economic development and ensuring better opportunities for all in Cuba (Applause).