CUBA-EUROPEAN UNION: Political Thaw

By Patricia Grogg Reprint | | Print |

Patricia Grogg

HAVANA, Dec 4 2001 (IPS) - Cuba and the European Union (EU) have cleared the way for a relaunching of their political relations, although the prevailing restraint contrasts with the brisk trade between this Caribbean island nation and the European bloc.

“A new stage has begun in the ties between the EU and Cuba,” states a joint communique issued at the end of two days of talks between representatives of Cuba and the EU in Havana.

However, diplomatic sources consulted by IPS were circumspect, and said they had “moderate” expectations regarding the talks, which are to lead in the future to a broad cooperation accord.

The official communique issued in Havana reflects that restraint, saying the dialogue “could create an appropriate framework for fomenting increased cooperation between the EU and Cuba.”

Since 1996, the EU has not budged from its “common position” on Cuba, which is aimed at pushing this socialist island nation in the direction of a peaceful transition process towards democratic pluralism.

The “common position” has stood in the way of Cuba signing a global accord with the EU that would give it access to instruments of cooperation that the European bloc applies to other countries.

“If there is a real will to move forward, both sides will have to yield on something,” said one of the diplomatic sources, who added that the human rights question remained the biggest sticking- point.

That issue figured on the agenda of last weekend’s meeting, although it is not clear whether the talks will lead to changes in the “common position,” which is renewed every six months.

“The only thing I can say is that the current evaluation is more favourable than the previous one, but I cannot say anything more than that,” said Willy Stevens, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Relations’ director for the Americas, who took part in the talks.

The official communique issued by Cuba also stated an interest in “exchanging information” on human rights with “a broad and reciprocal approach.”

“Problems and differences” were also discussed, as was “the possibility of holding consultations on human rights issues in the relevant forums, to pave the way for greater comprehension between the parties.”

The EU came to the meetings in Havana after opposing the US embargo against Cuba in a United Nations vote in late November.

However, the EU countries represented on the UN Human Rights Commission voted in favour of a resolution condemning Cuba’s human rights record last April.

After the EU did the same in April 2000, Havana cancelled a visit scheduled by European delegates, aimed at attempting to resume the political dialogue.

Cuba also withdrew its application to join the Cotonou Accord, the successor to the Lome Convention, through which the EU provides preferential trading conditions and aid to former European colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque said in August that his country was now “ready to seek admission to the Cotonou Accord if the appropriate conditions exist.”

A trip by Pérez Roque to Belgium, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, and a visit by Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Louis Michel to Havana began to thaw relations in the first half of this year.

“Cuba’s diplomacy prevented Brussels from imposing preconditions, and we also agreed to talk about everything, no matter how touchy the issue,” commented the diplomatic source, who preferred to remain anonymous.

The Cuban delegation to the meetings was headed by Foreign Minister Pérez Roque and the EU delegation by the secretary- general of Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Relations, Jan De Bock.

Europe accounts for 46 percent of Cuba’s foreign trade, with the 15 EU member countries representing 76 percent of that total.

Spain, which will preside over the EU in the first half of 2002, maintains a critical stance towards Cuba. Nevertheless, it is the country that has set up the greatest number of companies here.