European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (C) chairs a EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels February 10, 2014.Credit: Reuters/Francois Lenoir

(VOVworld)- The European Union agreed on Monday to launch negotiations with Cuba to move forward with the signing of the so-called Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, an agreement to normalize bilateral ties focusing on boosting economic and trade cooperation. The EU Ambassador to Cuba, Herman Portocarero described this as a decisive step in seeking ways for dialogue to increase mutual trust. This political agreement will serve as a firm legal framework for EU-Cuba cooperation, especially in the areas of tax collection and food security. The EU is currently Cuba’s second largest trade partner as many EU member countries have set up close relations with Cuba.