The EU demands “concrete results” from Cuba in matters of Human Rights

BRUSELAS, 27 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The European Union has demanded this Tuesday “concrete results” in Cuba in terms of Human Rights, ensuring that it has transferred its concern on this issue to Havana and extending its hand to accompany the island in the necessary economic reforms through European financing. .

In a debate in the European Parliament focused on the situation in Cuba, the Commissioner for International Cooperation, Jutta Urpilainen, has defended the Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba to maintain “critical, but constructive” relations with the Government of Miguel Díaz-Canel . “In the current context of the crisis in Cuba and global instability, the objectives of the agreement remain relevant,” she noted.

Urpilainen, who participated in place of the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, pointed out that the agreement allows for “frank” conversations with Cuba on different issues and that the EU’s approach towards the island is “the same as with many other countries” with which the bloc pursues its interests and defends its values.

The Finnish commissioner has stressed that in this context the EU reiterates its concern about the Human Rights situation and expects “concrete results”, to emphasize the need to make economic reforms on the island in the face of the “deterioration” of the living conditions of the Cubans.

In this sense, he has assured that the bloc is ready to accompany these reforms through the EU’s international investment project, Global Gateway. He also recalled that other factors that hinder the economic and social situation of the island are the United States trade embargo, imposed for more than 60 years, and its inclusion in the list of States that promote terrorism, two measures that the EU rejects. .

During the debate, the right-wing parties have reiterated their rejection of the Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, a regular target of criticism from PP, Vox and Ciudadanos. Thus, the ‘popular’ MEP Gabriel Mato has stressed that the persecution against dissidents has worsened due to the inaction of the EU that does not take measures within the framework of the agreement with Cuba.

“How long are we going to allow the criminals who rule the island to continue oppressing Cubans?” said Mato. “To deny the repression in Cuba is to deny reality,” he added, regretting that there are no sanctions against Cuban leaders and that the Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement is not suspended.

On the side of Ciudadanos, José Ramón Bauza, has pointed out that Cuba resembles Russia, recalling the death of Osvaldo Payá in 2012 and comparing his case to that of Alexei Navalni. “How many dissidents have to be murdered to give us an account? Who will be next of the 1,066 political prisoners?” he said, insisting that “there can be no agreement with criminals, nor with dictators,” in another call to cancel relations with Havana.

For his part, Vox MEP Hermann Tertsch has denounced the “hypocrisy” of Brussels, ensuring that it does not sufficiently denounce the “tragedy” on the island. «Here it is full of protectors and the first one is called Borrell. That is why it is a scandal and we must put an end to this unworthy agreement that finances that murderous dictatorship,” he pointed out.