EU signs pact with Cuba to normalize relations

World News Nancy Frank
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The EU and Cuba signed on Monday an agreement to normalize relations that had been blocked for decades by human rights concerns under revolutionary icon Fidel Castro.

Cuba was the only Latin American country that did not have a “dialogue and cooperation” agreement with the EU covering issues such as human rights, immigration and trade.

After years of difficult negotiations, the new agreement was signed at a Brussels ceremony by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and representatives from the 28 EU member states.

“This is a historic day, we’ve turned a page. Today we’re starting to write together a new chapter,” said EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini as the 28-nation EU’s top diplomats and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez signed the pact in Brussels.

According to Rodriguez, the priority is to develop the Cuban economy. However, there is a major obstacle to overcome and that is the U.S. financial and economic barrier.

“We’ll have to see how things develop. But we very much hope that relations between the European Union and Cuba will continue to grow and enrich both sides,” he said, adding that ties “between the EU and Cuba do not go by Washington.”

The agreement is the result of a long process and Trump’s inauguration in January “will not affect in any way relations between the European Union and Cuba” added Mogherini.

Although the bloc has decided to apply parts of the agreement immediately, it is yet to  be ratified by national parliaments in all EU member states before it can enter completely into force.

Parrilla stated that the agreement “demonstrates that with good will and respect it is possible to make progress and resolve differences.”