EU foreign policy chief starts Cuba visit

EU foreign policy chief starts Cuba visit

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, pictured during a European
Union summit in Brussels, on March 20, 2015 (AFP Photo/Thierry Charlier)

Havana (AFP) - EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini arrived in
Cuba for crucial talks aimed at normalizing ties between the European
Union and the communist island state.

Monday's visit comes as previously icy relations between Cuba and the
West are thawing, following the dramatic rapprochement between Havana
and Washington in the last few months.

Mogherini will meet Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez during the
two-day visit which "comes at a crucial time" for negotiations between
the two sides, her office said ahead of her arrival, which was confirmed
by a source close to the EU in Cuba.

The EU and Cuba held a third round of talks between chief negotiators at
the beginning of March aimed at tackling sensitive human rights issues
and finalizing an agreement "on political dialogue and cooperation."

Besides meeting Rodriguez on Tuesday, Mogherini is due to meet other
Cuban government officials as well as the archbishop of Havana, Cardinal
Jaime Ortega, and civil society representatives.

No meeting with President Raul Castro has been announced.

Separately, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was also expected
Tuesday in Havana.

Source: EU foreign policy chief starts Cuba visit - Yahoo News -
http://news.yahoo.com/eu-foreign-policy-chief-starts-cuba-visit-004007959.html;_ylt=AwrBJR4huxFVImYACqzQtDMD