Cuba agrees to open EU talks on bilateral relations

[EC]

Via the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26474424

Cuba has officially agreed to talks with the European Union on restoring bilateral relations with the bloc.

Foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez said Cuba accepted the EU invitation made last month "with satisfaction".

The negotiations are expected to boost trade and investments in the communist-run island, but will be linked to progress on human rights.

The EU restricted its ties with Cuba in 1996 to bolster dialogue on the issue and multi-party democracy.

The bloc is already Cuba's second-biggest economic partner after Venezuela, and many member states have bilateral agreements with the island.
'Unilateral policies'

It also represents a major source of tourism revenue, with hundreds of thousands of European tourists visiting Cuba every year.

"Cuba welcomes with satisfaction the 10 February proposal of the high official, which will put an end to the unilateral EU policies towards Cuba and accept the start of the negotiations," Mr Rodriguez told reporters in the Cuban capital, Havana.
EU ambassador to Havana, Herman Portocarero, at a press conference in Havana (10 February 2014) In February, the EU ambassador to Havana, Herman Portocarero, said the talks should support change

The minister was referring to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton who, at the time, said she hoped Cuba would take up the offer.

A timeframe for the negotiations has not yet been agreed but EU negotiators have already said that they aim to sign a new bilateral agreement by the end of 2015.

More at link.

Yet another unintended consequence of the Worm's fumbling foreign policy.