Cuba takes step to normalise ties with EU
RENATA GOLDIROVA
17.09.2008 @ 09:19 CET
Cuba has conditionally accepted an European union's offer from June to breath life into mutual political ties.
In a letter cited by Reuters news agency, the Cuban foreign minister accepted the union's proposal to resume formal political dialogue "once the foundations and bases are established by joint agreement".
EU member states may renew high-level contacts with the Cuban regime (Photo: Partido Comunista de Cuba)
The move is a direct response to the EU foreign ministers' decision in June to lift diplomatic sanctions on Havana, which were adopted in 2003 after the jailing of 75 dissidents and the execution of three people attempting to flee to the US.
The ministers took the line that member states may renew high-level contacts with the Cuban government - a softer line that previously had been opposed by the Czech Republic, Sweden and Germany. However, the move would be reviewed annually and unanimously assessed by all 27 member states, with special attention to be paid to human rights issues.
"The EU's passive policy is becoming an active policy," the ministerial statement said back in June.
The shift in climate came after President Raul Castro took over from his brother, Fidel, in February. He has since lifted restrictions on islanders buying mobile phones and computers, and has permitted more room for political debate.
The Cuban foreign minister's letter comes as the country recovers from damage caused by two massive hurricanes, Gustav and Ike. The hurricanes - the most destructive in the history of Cuba - passed through virtually the entire country at the beginning of September.
Within ten days, Cuba suffered substantial material losses, with preliminary estimates placing them at $5 billion. More than 444,000 homes were damaged, while over 63,000 of the total figure were completely demolished.
