EU to improve ties with Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Oct 25, 2010
EU to improve ties with Cuba

LUXEMBOURG - THE EU's top diplomat Catherine Ashton will explore a possible softening of the bloc's stance towards Cuba following its release of dissidents and economic reforms, a diplomat said Monday.

Ms Ashton was given a mandate by foreign ministers of the 27-nation European Union meeting in Luxembourg 'to explore ways to try and progress' its relations with Cuba, the source said. She is to finalise the mission in December.

Spain's new Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez made an impassioned plea to improve relations between Brussels and Havana at the meeting which moved her counterparts.

Spain's Socialist government has been arguing in favour of the EU moving towards normalisation of ties with Cuba, saying a shift would help accelerate change on the island led by the Castro brothers since 1959.

Read more: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_595141.html

[Vincardog]

1. When will we start to have a sane policy toward Cuba?

[DesertFlower]

2. hopefully soon. nt