EU stresses support for Cuba even as US hikes sanctions
EURACTIV.com with Reuters 0:51 (updated: 0:58)
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla (R) and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini (L) participate in a press conference, in Havana, Cuba, 09 September 2019. [EPA-EFE/Ernesto Mastrascusa]
The European Union is committed to helping Cuba develop its economy, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Monday (9 September), during a three-day trip to Havana, even as the United States hikes sanctions on the Communist-run island.
The EU started normalizing relations with one-party Cuba about the same time as the United States five years ago, ending decades of Cold War-era hostility.
But EU and US policies have diverged, as US President Donald Trump has unraveled the detente pursued by his predecessor. He has reverted to seeking to coerce the government to reform, a strategy that many experts say has long failed.
The EU is Cubas top commercial partner and investor, and we have tripled cooperation in the last two years, Mogherini, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, told a news conference with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.
More:
https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-stresses-support-for-cuba-even-as-us-hikes-sanctions/