EU UNFREEZES CUBA RELATIONS AFTER FIDEL CASTRO'S DEATH

EU UNFREEZES CUBA RELATIONS AFTER FIDEL CASTRO'S DEATH
The country had been the only Latin American state not to have a
'dialogue and co-operation' deal with the bloc.
BY JOSH LOWE ON 12/13/16 AT 1:08 PM

The European Union has ended a 20-year block on diplomatic relations
with Cuba following the death of Fidel Castro.

European Commission officials have agreed to drop a policy, in place
since 1996, that said Cuba must first improve its human rights standards
before co-operating more closely with the EU.

Win an iPhone 7 Sign up to our daily newsletter for your chance to win.
The country had been the only Latin American state not to have a
"dialogue and co-operation" deal with the EU.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, European Union foreign
affairs chief Federica Mogherini and representatives from the 28 EU
member states signed the agreement at a Brussels ceremony.

The EU imposed sanctions on Cuba in 2003 and reopened discussions in 2008.

Parrilla said the agreement "demonstrates that with goodwill and respect
it is possible to make progress and resolve differences," France 24
reported.

Source: EU Unfreezes Cuba Relations After Fidel Castro's Death -
http://europe.newsweek.com/eu-cuba-deal-relations-freeze-diplomacy-531290