Constructive dialogue is the best way to normalize Cuba-EU relations and both sides would like to see relations improve, the two sides said in a joint statement on Sunday.
"The European Commission accepts the position that the measures adopted by the Union in 2003 are the main obstacle to establishing a political dialogue and should be eliminated," the statement added.
The statement sums up the results of a three-day visit that began Friday by Louis Michel, the EU's commissioner for humanitarian assistance and development.
Michel, who arrived in Cuba on Thursday, met with top Cuban officials including Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, Vice President of the Council of State Carlos Lage, President of the National Assembly of People's Power Ricardo Alarcon, Foreign Investment and Cooperation Minister Marta Lomas and chief of the Civil Defense Staff Ramon Pardo Guerra, and held talks covering politics, human rights, trade, economics, science and culture, according to the statement.
During the talks, both sides reiterated that the bilateral relationship should be based on reciprocation, instead of discrimination, and identified environment, trade, food security, science, technology, cultural exchange and disaster prevention as areas where dialogue could be of mutual benefit.
The EU froze relations with Havana in 2003 after Cuba jailed 75 dissidents in a political crackdown and executed three men who hijacked a ferry in an attempt to flee to the United States.
Source: Xinhua
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