Political dialogue and cooperation agreement with Cuba

SUMMARY OF:

Decision (EU) 2016/2232 — on the signing, on behalf of the EU, and provisional application of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Cuba

Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and its Member States, and the Republic of Cuba

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISION?

The decision concerns the signing, on behalf of the EU, of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba.

The aims of the agreement include:

consolidating and strengthening relations between the parties in the areas of political dialogue, cooperation and trade;
accompanying the process of updating the economy and society in Cuba by providing a comprehensive basis for dialogue and cooperation;
enhancing bilateral cooperation and mutual engagement in international forums, in particular the United Nations, in order to strengthen human rights and democracy, achieve sustainable development and end discrimination;
support efforts to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development framework;
promote trade and economic relations based on World Trade Organization rules and principles;
strengthen regional cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean;
promote understanding by encouraging dialogue between Cuba and EU countries at all levels.

KEY POINTS

The agreement includes 3 main chapters:

Political dialogue including on:
- human rights;
- the fight against terrorism;
- trafficking in human beings;
- the illegal arms trade.
Cooperation and sector policy dialogue including in the following areas:
- democracy, human rights and good governance;
- justice, citizen security and migration;
- social development and social cohesion;
- environment, disaster risk management and climate change;
- economic development; and
- regional integration and cooperation.
Trade and trade cooperation which includes:
- a reaffirmation by both parties of the need to follow international trade rules including to WTO agreements;
- promoting and facilitating cooperation between respective customs services;
- reinforcing cooperation in the area of trade facilitation;
- promoting cooperation between authorities responsible for standardisation, metrology, accreditation and conformity-assessment to help remove technical barriers to trade;
- promoting cooperation and coordination, including within international organisations, on food safety, animal and plant health standards and animal welfare;
- encouraging investment through dialogue aimed at enhancing understanding and cooperation on investment issues and promoting a stable, transparent and non-discriminatory business and investment regime.

A Joint Council, meeting at ministerial level, supervises the implementation of the agreement and the fulfilment of its objectives.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

With the exception of certain articles, the agreement has provisionally applied since 1 November 2017.

BACKGROUND

Cuba and the EU (European External Action Service).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Decision (EU) 2016/2232 of 6 December 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Cuba, of the other part (OJ L 337I , 13.12.2016, pp. 1-2)

Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Cuba, of the other part (OJ L 337I , 13.12.2016, pp. 3-40)