(VOVworld) - Cuba and the European Union (EU) began to hold the fourth round of talks in Brussels on Monday on normalizing bilateral ties, and paving the way for unrestricted trade and political cooperation.

Cuban leader Fidel Castro receives French President Francois Hollande. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The talks will focus on human rights and political issues due to the fact that Cuba is one of a few countries which do not have a political agreement with the EU.

Cuban and EU diplomats have held three rounds of talks in the past year and a half, after the European nations decided economic reforms launched by Cuban leader Raul Castro merited a new stance towards the island nation.