The second visit of Federica Mogherini to Cuba
saw her initializing a landmark EU-Cuba "Political Dialogue and
Cooperation Agreement" covering political dialogue, cooperation and trade.
After the agreement Mogherini said : "this is a historic step in our relations,
this bilateral agreement marks the beginning of a new phase." Afterwards,
she had a three hour meeting with President Raul Castro.
After the signing of the agreement at a press
conference with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriquez, she said :"this was 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", she underlined.
On the setting of a date and venue for the
second human rights dialogue Mogherini reminded: "a year ago, Foreign
Minister 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."
The Political Dialogue and Cooperation
Agreement, she went on, "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."
In a meeting with Marino Murillo, the Cuban
Minister of Economy and Planning, Mogherini told him that "the EU was
willing to extend expand economic relations. The "good intentions are
there, the political framework is there and the cooperation framework is
there" she said.
The visit to #Cuba began with #Federica_Mogherini
and Neven Mimica (Commissioner for International cooperation and Development)
holding a meeting with Ambassadors of EU countries which are represented in
Cuba.
The EU –Cuba Joint Declaration vows to
"enable to consolidate the relations between Cuba and the European Union
in the medium and long-term, a relation based on reciprocity, respect and
mutual benefit." It goes on to say "both parties expressed
satisfaction on the results achieved in the negotiating process. The Agreement
includes fundamental components such as political dialogue, cooperation, and
dialogue on sectorial policies, as well as trade and cooperation in trade
matters."
EU-Cuba cooperation was resumed in October 2008
and since then the EU has made available around €140 million for cooperation to
Cuba which has helped rebuild after devastating hurricanes, tackle food
security as well as projects which help alleviate the effects of climate
change, boost renewable energy, culture and education. The talks on the Political
Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement started in April 2014
Links.
EU-Cuba
Remarks by Federica Mogherini t the Joint press
conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez, in La
Havana
Joint Declaration at the Initialing Ceremony of
the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between Cuba and the European
Union
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