EU ends Cuba ‘cocktail war’

Europe’s foreign ministers have suspended EU sanctions against Cuba ending a two-year dispute branded the “cocktail wars”.

EU relations were frozen with Cuba following after a 2003 Havana crackdown saw 75 dissidents jailed for terms of between six and 28 years.

Monday’s resumption of normal diplomatic relations will be reviewed this summer after Cuba signalled a softer line on dissidents and reopened contact with EU embassies.

Havana had broken off contacts with some European embassies which had angered Fidel Castro's government by inviting Cuban dissidents to cocktail receptions.

But a New Year Cuban rapprochement with Havana embassies for the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia has eased the row.

“All measures taken on June 5, 2003 have been temporarily suspended,” the Luxembourg EU presidency.

The latest move will allow high-level Cuban visits to the EU on the basis that trips are linked to human rights talks.

The suspension will be reviewed before June 30 “in the light of developments and progress towards pluralism and respect of human rights in Cuba”.
 
“We highlighted the need to support a process leading to democratic pluralism, respect of human rights and basic freedoms in Cuba,” said the EU presidency.

“[Europe] wishes to have a constructive dialogue with the Cuban authorities with a view to coming up with tangible results in economic and political matters, and in relation to human rights.”

• Previous article
• Next article