Written answers

Thursday, 5 July 2007

Department of Foreign Affairs

Diplomatic Relations

5:00 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way Ireland voted at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on 18 June 2007 in relation to the proposal to lift EU sanctions against Cuba. [19375/07]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The European Union's 1996 Common Position on Cuba and all subsequent Council Conclusions reviewing the Common Position have been adopted by consensus, including those at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on 18 June 2007, at which I participated.

In these Council Conclusions, we deplored the fact that the human rights situation in Cuba has not fundamentally changed, and noted that the Cuban Government continues to deny its citizens internationally recognised civil, political and economic rights and freedoms. We also recognised the right of Cuban citizens to decide independently about their future.

While the European Union will continue to pursue its dialogue with Cuba's civil society and to offer to all sectors of society practical support towards peaceful change in Cuba, the Council also emphasised the Union's willingness to resume a comprehensive and open political dialogue with the Cuban authorities on all areas of mutual interest. In order to sound out the potential for such a dialogue, which should take place on a reciprocal and non-discriminatory basis, the Council decided to invite a Cuban delegation to Brussels.

The recent Council Conclusions represent a balanced approach, which is in accordance with the principles of the Common Position. The decision which we took in Council to invite a Cuban delegation to Brussels will provide an opportunity for establishing an open political dialogue with the Cuban authorities.

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