The European Commission (EC) believes in obtaining concrete results from Cuba in terms of human rights, whose situation on the island is of concern to the Community Executive, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships stressed on Tuesday.
“The European Union (EU) reiterates its concern about the human rights situation in Cuba,” Jutta Urpilainen emphasized during a debate in the European Parliament on the situation in the Caribbean country.
The Finnish Commissioner, who took part in the plenary meeting of the European Parliament of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, recalled the visit of the Spanish diplomat in May to Havana to participate in the third EU-Cuba Joint Council within the framework of the policy and cooperation agreement that governs relations between the two sides .
Together with the EU special envoy for human rights, Borrell then met with Cuban authorities, as well as critical representatives of Cuban society, who “shared their concerns and hopes,” Urpilainen noted.
“We are conveying your message to the Cuban authorities and are waiting for concrete results,” the commissioner emphasized.
In the context of the crisis on the island, as well as global geopolitical instability, the commissioner stressed that the objectives of the agreement “remain absolutely relevant”: to strengthen bilateral relations and reforms, accompany the process of economic and social modernization of Cuba, promote the values of the EU and protect your interests. interests.
At the same time, the Commissioner called on the Havana government to urgently implement bold economic reforms, which the EU has assured that it is ready to accompany through cooperation, as well as through the Global Gateway Community Program for Investment in Critical Infrastructure in Third Countries.
Jutta Urpilainen also mentioned the EU’s support for the emerging Cuban private sector and highlighted that since 2021, the country has created more than 10,000 small and medium-sized enterprises – enterprises that she considers essential for economic growth.
On the other hand, he stressed that there are other factors that have worsened the situation in the country, such as the US embargo and the inclusion of the country on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, measures that the EU rejects.
Urpilainen stressed that the EU and Cuba advocate at the international level for the need to strengthen the multilateral system and promote the strategic association between the community bloc and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac).
And despite Cuba’s own analysis and historical proximity to Moscow, the country has already abstained in four different UN votes on the issue of Russia’s war against Ukraine, he further emphasized.
The European Parliament is expected to approve a resolution on the situation in Cuba this Thursday.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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