EU, Cuba ink historic deal to mend tiesMarch 12, 2016 - 12:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union and Cuba signed a deal to normalize relations, including an agreement on the delicate issue of human rights -- a breakthrough just ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's historic visit to the island, AFP reports. The agreement, the culmination of nearly two years of negotiations, is a further step toward ending the communist country's status as a pariah in the West. "This is a historic step in our relationship," said EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini at a signing ceremony in Havana. "The agreement marks the beginning of a new era in our bilateral relations," she added, before heading to a meeting with Castro. Cuba was previously the only country in Latin America without an international cooperation deal with the 28-member bloc. The EU slapped sanctions on Cuba and suspended cooperation in 2003 over a crackdown on journalists and activists, and had since 1996 officially used its foreign policy to encourage human rights advances in the country. "This accord marks the end of the common position," Mogherini said, according to AFP. The European Parliament must still ratify the deal for it to take effect. The two sides said in a statement that it set the stage for relations based on "respect, reciprocity and shared interests." The EU had said it was seeking a more constructive approach to engage Havana and persuade Castro's government to sign a series of international human rights treaties. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said the deal was the result of "a dynamic process that was not without complexity." Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |