WRITTEN QUESTION E-3519/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Council (14 November 1997)

Subject: Relations with Cuba

It has been reported in the press that the Cuban Deputy Minister for External Relations, Ms Allende, recently handed her Government's response to the common position adopted by the Fifteen in December 1996 to 'a senior Luxembourg official'.

Can the Council confirm or deny this information and, if possible, provide information on the above response by the Cuban Government, together with its own comments?

Answer (16 February 1998)

During the discussion held on 30 September 1997 in Luxembourg between Mr Wohlfart, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and Ms Allende, Cuban Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, the latter handed over the letter from the Cuban Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Robaina, Replying to the letter dated 30 August 1997 from the President-in-Office of the Council of Ministers, Mr Poos.

With regard to relations between the European Union and Cuba, the main points of the letter from Mr Robaina are as follows:

- linking cooperation with Cuba to improvements in the field of human rights or to democratic changes constitutes completely unjustified treatment. This approach is not consistent with the strengthening of bilateral links between Cuba and the vast majority of the Member States of the European Union, or with the excellent ongoing cooperation through European non-governmental organizations;

- the European Union's insistence on the release of Cuban dissidents is regarded as interference in Cuba's internal politics;

- it is possible to find common ground for relaunching the dialogue, insofar as an agenda could be tackled which included items which might interest the European Union but also those of interest to Cuba;

- the Cuban government has reiterated on several occasions its willingness to maintain with the European Union a genuine dialogue at all levels and in all fora; such a dialogue must be based on mutual respect and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs;

- Cuba hopes that, working together, the way towards a constructive and considerate dialogue will be found and that new, more fruitful contacts will be established.

Following the latest contacts with the Cuban authorities, the European Union is studying the possibility of opening a dialogue with Cuba in stages, which would start at the technical level and, depending on reactions from the Cuban side, could continue with cooperation in the field of human rights.

It should be pointed out that this approach is based on the premise that the Union will not abandon the means at its disposal if the human rights situation in Cuba fails to improve. The Union will in particular reserve the right to intervene publicly, including in international fora, in the event of a clear breach of human rights.

Furthermore, the Union will continue to appeal to the Cuban government to release those dissidents currently in prison.