Texte ale UE
HRVP Declaration of 26 May 2023 after the EU-Cuba Joint Council
Querida viceministra,
Esta mañana he copresidido, con el viceprimer ministro y ministro de Comercio Exterior [e Inversiones de Cuba], señor [Ricardo] Cabrisas, y con usted, viceministra [de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba] Anayansi Rodríguez [Camejo], el tercer Consejo Conjunto entre Cuba y la Unión Europea.
Permítanme recordar que primero lo celebró la señora [Federica] Mogherini, mi antecesora en este cargo.
Me alegra mucho que esta vez hayamos podido celebrarlo en persona, puesto que nuestro último Consejo [Conjunto] en enero de 2021 lo tuvimos que celebrar a través de videoconferencia debido a las restricciones que nos imponía entonces la pandemia del COVID-19.
Esta es una reunión en la que he estado acompañado por los embajadores de los 17 Estados miembros [de la Unión Europea] que tienen una representación permanente en La Habana, quienes han asistido al Consejo Conjunto en calidad de observadores. Quiero agradecerles su presencia y también la labor que hacen las embajadas de nuestros Estados miembros creando lazos con la ciudadanía cubana y promoviendo los valores y los principios europeos en la isla.
Señora viceministra, señoras y señores embajadores, todos sabemos que este Consejo Conjunto es el foro ministerial que dirige la aplicación del Acuerdo de Diálogo Político y de Cooperación - fíjense bien en los objetivos: dialogar políticamente y cooperar entre Cuba y la Unión Europa -, que ya tiene años puesto que fue firmado en el 2016 y se encuentra en aplicación provisional desde 2017.
Durante este tiempo, hemos avanzado, hemos discrepado, hemos discutido, pero hemos mantenido el diálogo y la cooperación.
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EEAS Statement of 23 May 2023 on the upcoming visit of the HRVP to Cuba
High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell will travel to Cuba on 25-27 May to represent the EU at the third Joint Council, co-chaired on the Cuban side by Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez. The Joint Council, established by the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), meets regularly since 2018. The PDCA enshrines the EU's policy approach of critical but constructive engagement towards Cuba.
The visit will be an opportunity to take stock of the bilateral relationship, and also to discuss regional and global issues.
During his stay, HR/VP Borrell will meet with the Cuban authorities, Cuban businesspeople, and a range of voices from Cuban society sharing their perspectives on Cuba's challenges and opportunities, as well as the EU business community and EU Member States present in the country. He will also visit EU-funded development cooperation projects.
The visit is also part of EU outreach to Latin American and Caribbean countries in the run-up to the upcoming EU-CELAC Summit to take place in Brussels on 17-18 July.
The EU is Cuba's most important trade, investment and cooperation partner. The EU continues to support projects in areas including agriculture, energy, ecological transition, economic modernisation and support of the incipient private sector to ultimately help improve the lives of Cuban people.
Council of the EU Statement of 11 July 2022 - first anniversary of the demonstrations
One year has passed since thousands of Cuban citizens took to the streets across the island to express their legitimate grievances about deteriorating living conditions as well as their demands for human rights, in particular civil and political rights, and for democracy. These spontaneous protests were met with repression, with over 1,400 people having been arrested and 790 indicted in connection with these events.
Since then, the European Union has been following with deep concern the disproportionate prison sentences handed down in Cuba to those involved in the events of 11 and 12 July 2021, some of whom were under the age of 18 at the time of their arrest. These trials raise important concerns in relation to basic principles and international standards of transparency and due process.
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HRVP Statement of 17 May 2022 on lifting of certain restrictions by the US in Cuba
The EU welcomes the announcement of 16 May by the U.S. Administration about lifting certain restrictions on Cuba, notably by increasing consular services and visa processing, easing travel restrictions, lifting the limit of remittances and supporting greater access to U.S. Internet services and electronic payments.
The EU reiterates its overall policy of critical engagement with Cuba, expecting the implementation of all pillars of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, of which Human rights is an essential part. The EU will continue to support measures that improve the difficult living conditions of the Cuban people.
Council of the EU Statement of 30 March 2022 on trials and sentences in Cuba
The European Union is following with deep concern the prison sentences that are being handed down in Cuba to those involved in the events of 11 and 12 July 2021. The spontaneous protests that took place across the island reflected legitimate grievances on the part of the population but were met with repression, with over 1,400 people having been arrested and 790 indicted in connection with these events. After a series of harsh sentences already announced, on 16 March 2022 the Cuban Supreme Court made public a further 128 sentences to individuals, some of whom were under the age of 18 at the time of their arrest, to terms ranging up to 30 years. These verdicts are disproportionate.
Even though the right to demonstrate is guaranteed in the Cuban Constitution, this use of judicial proceedings and such verdicts serve to deny Cuban citizens the right to express their views peacefully and make demands for change. The right to express dissent and protest should be guaranteed and protected in Cuba.
These trials present important concerns in relation to basic principles and international standards of transparency and due process, such as the right for the accused to be represented by independent legal counsel of their own choosing. The European Union calls on the Cuban authorities to allow the diplomatic community to attend the trials.
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EEAS Statement of 14 November 2021 -decision to revoke the credentials of journalists
The decision of the Cuban authorities' to revoke the credentials of journalists working for the Spanish news agency, EFE in the country is yet another step to stem the flow of open and accurate news from the island.
The EU calls upon the Cuban authorities to ensure freedom of speech and freedom of the press, as referred to in the Cuban Constitution and enshrined in the Universal declaration of human rights, and to restore all necessary authorisations and credentials to EFE agency staff.
Foreign correspondents play an important role in promoting international understanding and contributing to the openness of societies.
The European Union will continue to stand up for the role of independent and reliable media around the world, to safeguard media freedom and pluralism, as well as to protect the right to freedom of expression online and offline, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information without interference. These are cornerstones of open and fair societies.
HRVP Declaration of 29 July 2021 on recent events in Cuba
We have been following the developments in Cuba very closely. The public demonstrations reflect legitimate grievances in the population about the lack of food, medicines, water and power, as well as freedom of expression and freedom of the press. In parallel with the Covid-19 situation, these grievances have created an increase in the demand for civil and political rights, and for democracy.
We are very concerned about the repression of these protests, as well as for the arrest of protesters and journalists, especially after the demonstrations held on 11 July across the country, with the participation of thousands of Cuban citizens. We unequivocally support the right of all Cuban citizens to express their views peacefully, to make demands for change, as well as to assemble to give voice to their opinions, including on the Internet. We call on the Cuban government to respect the human rights and freedoms enshrined in universal Human Rights Conventions. We urge it to release all arbitrarily detained protesters, to listen to the voices of its citizens, and to engage in an inclusive dialogue on their grievances.
The Cuban people are suffering, and all necessary measures should be taken by the government to address this. We welcome the lifting of restrictions for travellers, allowing them to bring unlimited amounts of food and medicines, as a first step in the right direction.
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HRVP at EP Plenary on 8 June 2021 on Cuba
Let us speak in Spanish because I am sure that most of the people who are interested in this issue are Spanish. And in any case, the ones who have been asking for this debate most of them speak Spanish. And for time to time, it is good for me to speak in Spanish.
Nadie puede dudar que los derechos humanos son un elemento central de nuestro Acuerdo de Diálogo Político y de Cooperación con Cuba. Y quiero aprovechar este momento para defender este Acuerdo y su aplicación. Son parte central de este acuerdo [los derechos humanos] y continúan siendo parte esencial de nuestra política con respecto a Cuba, que podemos llamar una política de "compromiso crítico" con este país.
Y no hace falta decirles por qué. Porque los europeos creemos que nuestro sistema político basado en libertades individuales y una sociedad civil dinámica, creemos que son fundamentales para el desarrollo social y económico de cualquier país.
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EEAS Statement of 26 March 2021 - EU-Cuba Dialogue on Unilateral Coercive Measures
On 25 March 2021, the European Union and Cuba held their third political dialogue on unilateral coercive measures by videoconference. The dialogue provides a structured framework to exchange views on coercive measures of unilateral character with extra-territorial application that are contrary to international law and commonly accepted rules of international trade.
The two sides discussed the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba since the last dialogue session (November 2019) and its impact on the financial sector, attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and the nascent non-state sector of the economy.
The European Union provided an overview of claims under Title III of the U.S. Helms-Burton Act involving EU companies, as well as of cases of extra-territorial application of the Act in the European Union. Cuba informed about its legal strategies to defend Cuban companies in US courts.
The European Union further presented its comprehensive strategy to foster the openness, strength and resilience of its economic and financial system, which includes initiatives to further deter and counteract the extra-territorial application of sanctions to EU economic operators. This strategy is planned for the years to come.
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Petición del SEAE del 21 de marzo de 2021- Cuba: detención del Sr. Robles Elizástegui
Petición de intervención humanitaria urgente:
Excelentísimo y estimado Sr. Josep Borrel,
Les escribo para llamar a la Unión Europea a que se solidarice con el caso del joven cubano Luis Robles Elizástegui, quien el pasado 4 de diciembre protestó con un cartel en La Habana pidiendo el fin de la represión y exigiendo la libertad de Denis Solís. Por esta manifestación pacífica, Luis Robles Elizástegui ha sido acusado por el régimen de actos contra la Seguridad del Estado, delito que se castiga con penas de hasta 20 años o la pena de muerte.
Según su medio hermano Landy Fernández Elizástegui, Luis "siempre ha pensado diferente, y se quiso expresar así porque lo creyó conveniente y necesario".
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