Cuba says economic links with Europe are a priority

HAVANA, Cuba, Dec 12 (acn) Economic relations with Europe will continue to be a priority for Cuba's efforts towards an efficient, sustainable and socialist economic development, said foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez, Monday, in Brussels.

In statements during the signing of the Cuba-European Union Accord for a Political Dialog and Cooperation, Minister Rodriguez said that the agreement will for sure contribute to enrich intense bilateral historic and cultural relations and further enhance political, commercial, financial, scientific, academic, sport and cooperation links.

The Cuban foreign minister recalled the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Peace Zone during a 2014 Havana Summit of Heads of State and Government.

Such proclamation calls on the international community member states to fully respect what was stipulated in their relations with the nations making up the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. This is the way treat the others and the way we want to be treated, said Rodriguez and added that such is the foundation to achieve civilized and fruitful relationship among all nations, disregarding their sizes, social and political systems and development levels.

He also recalled Cuban revolution leader Fidel Castro's statement back in 2003 as he said that "When the European Union was set up, we applauded because it was the only intelligent and useful step they could take to balance the hegemony of their powerful military allied and economic competitor," in reference to the United States.

For Rodriguez it is crucial to build a democratic and multi-polar world in today's reality to save humanity. And with this aim in mind, he considered it significant to defend peace, bearing in mind the interconnection between peace and development, and the must to eliminate poverty and guarantee the dignity of all human beings and stop the threat post by nuclear weapons and climate change.

Bruno Rodriguez also recalled Cuban President Raul Castro's statements that Cuba is willing to build a new stage of relations with the European Union on the basis of mutual respect.

There are particularly favorable conditions, despite the extraterritorial US blockade of Cuba, for the European Union and its member nations to have a larger presence in our plans for development, Rodriguez pointed out, as cited by PL news agency.