Cuba, EU to Sign Cooperation Agreement on December 12
HAVANA TIMES – The Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between Cuba and the European Union that will end the so-called “common position” which restricts relations with the island, will be signed on December 12, confirmed Herman Portocarero, the European ambassador in Cuba.
“The agreement we hope to sign December 12 in Brussels contains many more subjects of dialogue, including political and in the field of human rights, among others, but also a dialogue from society to society,” said Portocarrero at a press conference.
The new agreement establishes “a solid legal and negotiated basis ” between the two sides exchanging “the monologue for dialogue” in bilateral relations, said the European diplomat.
In 1996, the then Spanish president, José María Aznar, spearheaded the so-called “common position” of all EU countries that conditioned relations with Havana to advances in human rights on the island.
Portocarero stressed that the new agreement “provides a more complete, more reliable and solid base for joint negotiations, not unilateral positions.”
Since April 2014, Cuba and the European Union have held several rounds of negotiations for a bilateral agreement on political dialogue and cooperation.
On 11 March of this year, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, signed the agreement at an official ceremony in Havana.
In September, the European Commission called on member countries of the bloc to repeal the “common position” to open a new era in diplomatic relations.
In 2015, EU members were the second largest trading partner of the island, with a presence mainly in the sectors of power generation, water development, medical equipment, food and agriculture.
US foreign policy can not and should not be led the ebb and flow of foreign influences. Of course, the UN vote should be considered as a parte of Congressional deliberations. However, in our role as world leader, sometimes “going it alone” comes with the job. The embargo absolutely should end, hopefully sooner rather than later. But, along with its repeal, Cubans should not have suffered in vain. Individual liberties and economic opportunity should be the fruit of their sacrifice.
I wouldn’t bet on “no change,” Moses. European leaders like Spain’s Jose Maria Aznar formerly took their Cuban dictates from the likes of the Bush dynasty. Now European Union leaders such as Federica Mogherini are not so easily dictated to, especially as the power and image of the Bush dynasty and its self-serving alliances fade. What Ms. Mogherini and others like her have influenced and then expanded on is that 191-to-0 vote in the United Nations in which even the United States refused to support its vile embargo against Cuba, even though a few ANTI-CASTRO SYCOPHANTS IN THE 535-MEMBER FLAWED U. S. Congress plan on maintaining obscenities such as the embargo for another five decades or so, unmindful of the damage it does to everyday Cubans and the U. S. democracy. DEMOCRACY sycophants like me comprehend and respect that vote, Moses. Perhaps you should too.
Castro sycophants will herald this agreement as a major milestone and turning point in EU/Cuban relations. But at the end of the day, nothing will change.