EU, Cuba sign pact to normalise relations

The EU and Cuba have signed a deal to normalise ties that had been blocked for decades by human rights concerns under revolutionary icon Fidel Castro.


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

But EU ministers last week agreed to drop a policy in place since 1996 which stated that Cuba first had to improve its human rights standards before getting closer links with the bloc.

The new agreement was signed by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and representatives from the 28 EU member states at a Brussels ceremony capping years of difficult negotiations.
 [rte.ie]
12/12/16
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