Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


EU, Cuba Sign Agreement to Normalize Ties

by VOA News

   The European Union and Cuba have signed an agreement to normalize ties
   that had been blocked for decades by human rights concerns under the
   late communist leader Fidel Castro.

   Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and European Union
   foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, along with representatives
   from the 28 EU member states signed the new deal Monday at a ceremony
   in Brussels.

   Last week, EU ministers agreed to repeal a 1996 policy that stated Cuba
   had to improve its human rights standards before a normalization deal
   would be signed.

   Parrilla said the agreement "demonstrates that with goodwill and
   respect, it is possible to make progress and resolve differences,"
   adding that "economic links with Europe will continue to be a priority
   for Cuba" as the country builds a socialist economy.

   Cuba had been the only Latin American country that did not have a
   "dialogue and cooperation" agreement with the EU covering issues such
   as trade, human rights and migration.

   In 2003, the EU imposed sanctions on Cuba and suspended cooperation
   over a crackdown on journalists and activists, and it took until 2008
   to get talks going again.