HAVANA.- The high-ranking representative of the European Union’s Foreign Policy, Federica Mogherini announced on Thursday in Havana that Cuba and the EU will sign several agreements to finance projects for the development of renewable energies, agriculture and cultural exchange on the island.
During a press conference of the Palace of the Segundo Cabo in Old Havana, the also Vice President of the European Commission reiterated that the legal
framework reached for the political dialog and cooperation will allow for ties to advance rapidly.
We will work together in a new program for the use of renewable energies in Cuba for a value of 18 million Euros, in addition to another on the development of sustainable agriculture for 21 million, she said.
The EU representative that they will also strengthening cultural cooperation especially in 2018, which is the Year of European Cultural Heritage, focused
for 2019 when the 500th anniversary of the foundation of Havana will be celebrated in the Caribbean island.
We will increase and broaden the program of cultural and expert exchanges valued at 10 million Euros, said Federica Mogherini.
Mogherini said that she and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez will head the first joint EU and Cuba Council on February 28th in Brussels to speak on
ways to further cooperation with concrete projects.
This is the EU’s high ranking representative’s third visit to Cuba, the first since the political dialog and cooperation went into effect last November –first signed by both sides- said Mogherini who stressed that bilateral relations is at its highest point. An example being that the EU is first in the volume of capital for investments in Cuba and also in development cooperation.
There are opportunities for trade, investment and promoting common solutions to global challenges like migration and climate change, said the EU Foreign Policy representative.
We can speak to Cuba on all issues because there is commitment to dialog despite the differences between both sides, said the EU Foreign Policy
representative.
She highlighted the meeting with the Cuban Foreign Minister on bilateral and global issues.
As a result of that meeting, Mogherini spoke on the instructions given to both delegations in advancing on common interests to assess in the upcoming meeting in Brussels and stressed in waiting for concrete outcome in the coming months.
She highlighted that the European common position was left behind and regrets that the administration of Donald Trump had changed its perspective regarding Cuba.
We will continue condemning the application of the blockade, she said, and rejected the extraterritorial nature of the US policy which she characterized as illegal.
Federica Mogherini strongly pointed out that the European Union will protect its citizens and investment in Cuba against the anti-Cuba policy.
Their interest is working with Havana on strengthening cooperation relations and in issues of mutual interest like climate change, objectives of the UN
sustainable development among others.
There are differences, but we are a firm and trusted partner for Cuba, there are no factors that can suddenly change the EU’s foreign policy, said the
representative.
The European official was in Havana in March of 2016 to promote political dialog between the EU and Cuba when both sides were about to concrete the
bilateral agreement, occasion in which she met with President Raul Castro.