EU sticks with status quo dialogue with Cuba

June, 13 - 7:07 AM

EU sticks with status quo dialogue with Cuba

Luxembourg.– The European Union decided Monday to maintain the status
quo of dialogue with Cuba while at the same time expressing concern
about the deteriorating human rights situation on the Communist-ruled
island.

Representatives of dissident groups in Cuba immediately expressed
disappointment with the stance.

The European Union's foreign ministers decided to maintain for another
year the policy of dialogue with Cuba, a posture adopted 17 months ago
when the bloc lifted diplomatic sanctions against the 47-year-old Castro
government.

The Council of Ministers approved the document on its annual review of
the European Union's common policy toward Fidel Castro's regime, which
avoided the imposition of sanctions for another year.

The document says the European Union "deplores the worsening of the
human rights situation" in Cuba since the last review, which took place
in June 2005.

It reflects, according to EU officials, the commitment to hold off on
diplomatic sanctions against Cuba's government until the next policy
review in June 2007, and in the meantime promote "a genuine dialogue"
with Havana, peaceful dissidents and civil society.

At the same time, the document foresees the opening of a process among
the member states to determine what the mid- and long-term strategy
should be in the European Union's relations with Cuba.

The document seeks to reconcile the positions of those who want to
maintain the current policy, among them Spain, and other members, mainly
the Czech Republic, who contend it has not produced satisfactory results
in terms of improving the human rights situation and promoting freedom
in Cuba.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=14487