Cuban Vice-president of the Council of Ministers,
Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, held talks with European Commissioner for
Development and Humanitarian Aid Karel De Gucht on Tuesday, with
a focus on the state of bilateral cooperation, which both
countries resumed in 2008.
"His visit is an excellent opportunity to continue expanding
relations between the European Union and Cuba," said Cabrisas at
the meeting which took place at the Council of Ministers
headquarters.
Cabrisas also noted the significance of the
talks De Gutch held with Foreign Minister Bruno Rogríguez
Parilla and Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment
Rodrigo Malmierca.
"Environmental and food security programs were
some of the most important issues we discussed," the European
commissioner noted.
De Gucht added that the EU is looking forward to
improving bilateral relations with Cuba. Accompanying him were
European Commission Official Maud F.S. Arnould, and Charge
D’affaires a.i of the European Commission in Cuba Javier Nino
Perez.
On the Cuban side, Deputy Foreign Minister
Dagoberto Rodriguez, Cuban Ambassador to the EU Elio Rodríguez,
and official of the Foreign Trade and Investment Ministry José
Rosado also attended the meeting.
The development of Cuba-EU relations corroborate
that cooperation with European institutions is possible if based
on mutual respect and non-interference in domestic affairs.
Cuba has communicated the European Union its
willingness to continue to normalize bilateral relations, which
cannot be done without putting an end to the unacceptable and
obsolete 1996 European Common Position on Cuba.