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Federica Mogherini en sesión plenaria del Parlamento Europeo sobre las perspectivas de la UE para el primer Consejo Conjunto UE-Cuba

14.03.2018
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Speech by the High Representative/Vice President Federica Mogherini at the European Parliament plenary session on the EU Perspectives for the first EU-Cuba Joint Council meeting

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Federica Mogherini, Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. – Mr President, the path of dialogue and cooperation, as we just discussed, is not always the easiest, but it is always a path worth taking. As Europeans we have always believed and invested in dialogue. I would say even more so when we have differences and difficulties.

Last summer, this Parliament voted to open a new phase in our relationship with Cuba. We decided, all the European institutions together, to continue to engage to build new channels for a deeper and stronger dialogue with Cuba. Because we believe this is the best possible way, not only to build a more peaceful and cooperative international environment, but also to improve the daily lives of our people, both in Europe and, crucially, inside Cuba.

It is quite clear that we do not see eye-to-eye on all issues, we do have several disagreements with the Cuban Government. But only through dialogue and engagement can we address our differences, explore avenues of cooperation in different sectors and accompany Cuba in its modernisation, in particular in these times of change, with the end of the mandate of President Castro’s coming up.

Today, we are here to discuss the preparations for the first joint Council between the European Union and Cuba and the way ahead. But let me start with a quick mention of what has happened since we signed our political dialogue and cooperation agreement.

Our cooperation has started to make a positive difference for the people, and this is, I believe, what counts the most. I have seen it during my visit to Cuba at the beginning of this year. I have visited the centre for Cuban youth that we have opened in old Havana, together with UNICEF, that is providing young Cubans with the skills they need to live better lives and the space to meet and work on common projects in many different fields. I have also seen the new Centre for EU-Cuba Cultural Relations in the historic Palacio del Segundo Cabo.

International cultural relations for the people of Cuba are an opportunity to meet the world and to look beyond their island, as well as to strengthen their own cultural tradition. And finally, while being there, I heard the stories of 180 000 men, women and children who were hit by Hurricane Irma.

We, the European Union, intervened immediately with our humanitarian aid in their support, and we are also helping them restart their farms and rebuild their homes in a more sustainable way so that the next hurricane will be less devastating than the last one.

These are three examples of concrete projects that have already improved the life of the Cuban people thanks to our cooperation. And to me this is a sign of how promising this new season in our relations can be. The first joint Council meeting, which we plan to hold in mid-May, will be the opportunity to consolidate and expand this work. Together with the Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, we expect to launch a number of sectoral dialogues in new areas of cooperation.

Let me mention just three of them. One, renewable energy, which is key for both of us. Second, sustainable agriculture, especially for the areas most hit by the hurricane. Third, culture. I mentioned that already. Let me stress in particular, as we mark the year of European Culture and in the year when the City of Havana celebrates its 500th anniversary. This is a field where I see enormous potential for our relations to be increased and deepened.

Of course the Joint Council will also be an opportunity to discuss other issues, for instance the US embargo and its extraterritorial effects. As you know, the European position is very clear. We have already expressed it several times, we believe the embargo does not achieve the goal to improve the lives of the Cuban people. On the contrary, it is only damaging the Cuban people and the Cuban economy.

As we prepare for the Joint Council, we are also working to formalise our annual human rights dialogue. As you know, such dialogue has already started informally in 2015. Since then, it has allowed us to exchange on human rights issues directly, in a very open, frank, constructive manner with the Cuban authorities. And let me say if we care about human rights in Cuba – and we all care in this room – if we care about widening the space for civil society, this is the best path to follow, to the benefit of the Cuban people.

Our political dialogue and cooperation agreement is the tool we need to better accompany and support a process of economic and social reform. It is the best tool we have to work for sustainable development, social justice, democracy and human rights. We do have disagreements, as I said, and I am sure our Cuban friends would say the same.

But there is also a lot that unites the European people and the Cuban people. We both believe in international cooperation and dialogue as the best way to address international disputes. We believe that a multilateral global order is possible and it would help us build a more sustainable development world-wide. And I don’t mention here all the cultural, historic links, the social links that are there between our people.

So let us continue engaging, aware of the differences, ready to address them, in a spirit of dialogue, respect and frankness, aware also of the opportunities for our common work in different sectors of cooperation, and continuing to work on our side in unity.

The European Parliament, together with all other European institutions, and continuing to invest in dialogue, again, respectful, without hiding the differences and the difficulties, but also taking all the opportunities that this dialogue can bring about.

Categoría
HR/VP speeches
Location

Bruxelles

Editorial sections
EEAS
Latin America & the Caribbean
Cuba