(VOVworld) – On March 8, one month after the EU signaled it wanted to upgrade relations with Cuba, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez agreed to begin negotiations with the European Union to normalize ties, after a decade of suspension. It means the last impediment to their relations has been removed, laying a foundation for future progress.
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| Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Cuba agreed to the EU talks to normalize relations |
The Cuban government accepted a proposal to open negotiations made last month by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. The two sides will negotiate towards the signing of a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, paving the way for an expansion of economic and trade relations. It was the EU’s most meaningful change in diplomatic relations since the EU lifted its sanctions on Cuba in 2008.
Clearing the way to normalizing bilateral ties
EU Ambassador to Cuba Herman Portocarero said the EU’s proposal to negotiate with Cuba is a decisive step and a deeper mutual understanding will benefit both sides. He commented that the EU cares about its effect on Cuba’s economic changes and expects closer relations with Cuba through the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement.
The EU-Cuba relationship resumed in 2008 when Cuba released anti-government protesters. Since then, the EU has channeled development aid to Cuba worth 80 million euros. In November, 2012, the EU agreed to begin negotiations on a bilateral agreement with Cuba. Last month, the EU again announced it was ready to upgrade relations with Cuba.
Joaquin Roy, Director of the EU Center in Miami, the US, said that despite a series of regulations limiting EU relations with Cuba imposed since 1996, some EU countries have maintained cooperation with Cuba in trade, investment, and development aid. Since 2008, 15 European countries have signed bilateral agreements with Cuba.
Economic benefit is cooperation motivation
Observers say the EU changed its policy because Cuba has become more open and has obtained certain achievements in socio-economic reform. One example was Cuba’s presence at the Borsa International Tourism Exchange (BIT 2014) in Milan, Italy, to promote its tourism potential to the EU market. Cuba will open a special production zone at Mariel port to attract foreign investment and produce export goods. Economists say Mariel port will become one of the major trade hubs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Cuba is scheduled to approve a draft foreign investment law in the first quarter of this year. These new economic measures are expected to generate more trade opportunities for Cuba.
Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said Cuba has made significant changes and it’s time for the EU to improve relations with Cuba.
Ambassador Portocarero praised Cuba’s role in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.
The EU is Cuba’s second largest trade partner after Venezuela with an average annual export value of 2 billion euros. Entering the Cuban market is necessary for the EU where public debt and unemployment have been growing in many of its member countries.
The EU does not want to lag behind other economic powers in taking advantage of cooperation with Cuba, and Cuba can benefit enormously from improving relations with the EU.