Ties between the European Union (EU) and Cuba are showing today a notable progress, after the visit of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, who said her objective in such sense was complied with.
Mogherini described as very positive her official visit to Cuba that concluded yesterday, during which she was welcomed by the President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Raul Castro.
During a meeting with the press in this capital, the Italian diplomat said she held meetings with different authorities in which she found a very good way for deeper cooperation, while she commented there were many items in which the parties agreed.
The high official stated that "there is a level of reciprocal confidence between the EU and Cuba."
The EU and Cuba are negotiating a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, which already complied with its third round and they are interested in accelerating to achieve conforming it and begin the joint work as of that framework.
"The completion of this agreement is a key to work on a more solid base," she said.
A new round of those negotiations will be held in April, while a summit of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) is scheduled for June 10-11.
Mogherini informed that she signed today along with Cuban authorities the anti-annual indicative program for about 50 million Euros until 2020, covering crucial spheres, especially in the agricultural sector.
Referring to the meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, the European diplomat stated that issues of common interest were analyzed, among them climate change, the post-2015 development agenda and cooperation in processes for the production of renewable energy.
During her official visit, Mogherini also met with the Parliament's President Esteban Lazo, Economy and Planning Minister Marino Murillo, and Havana's Archbishop, Cardenal Jaime Ortega.
About talks between Havana and Washington, she noted that this process does not represent a competition for the island and EU ties, as they are different processes.