European Delegation Meets with Cuban MPs

That parliamentary group, he recalled, has always been in favor of cooperation and dialogue with the Caribbean nation, and asserted that his presence on Cuban soil ratifies the decision to advance in bilateral relations with a country he considers being key in this part of the world.

Pittella praised the work of Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, whom he said is committed to reaching a cooperation agreement with Cuba during the first half of 2016.

Also, he invited Esteban Lazo, president of the ANPP, and Mari Machado to visit the European Parliament and a group of MPs so they speak there, and proposed to prepare a protocol agreement between the representation he heads and the Cuban party.

Mari Machado referred to the progress of the recently concluded sixth round of negotiations, held in Brussels, on the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between Cuba and the European Union; she described the moment as propitious and said she was confident that the agreement can be signed in the first half of this year.

For this, she said, it is necessary to eliminate the so-called "common position" adopted in 1996 –an interventionist burden that hinders understanding- and respect the principles of international law relating to non-interference in the internal affairs of states and full respect for sovereign equality.