Havana, Cuba – Photo by Vgenecr
(BRUSSELS) – The European Union agreed Tuesday to sign a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba, representing a turning point in Cuba-EU relations.
The new agreement will allow the EU and Cuba to work together on a number of areas, including the fight against drugs and criminality, cultural heritage and social development.
The Council also decided to provisionally apply parts of the agreement. The agreement, which is set to be signed on 12 December, will be transmitted to the European Parliament for its consent, in view of its conclusion.
“We are truly at a turning point in the relations between the EU and Cuba,” said the EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini: “Together, we are moving towards a closer and more constructive partnership, one that reflects strong historic, economic and cultural ties that unite Europe and Cuba. Through the new agreement, the EU is ready to support Cuba’s process of economic and social modernisation, and I am looking forward to further advancing our bilateral relations.”
The political dialogue and cooperation agreement, the first ever agreement between the EU and Cuba, will constitute the new legal framework for EU-Cuba relations. It foresees an enhanced political dialogue, improved bilateral cooperation and the development of joint action in multilateral fora.
The agreement aims to support the transition process of the Cuban economy and society. It promotes dialogue and cooperation to encourage sustainable development, democracy and human rights, and find shared solutions to global challenges.
The agreement comprises three main chapters on political dialogue, cooperation and sector policy dialogue as well as trade and trade cooperation.
