Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to extend relations with Cuba; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41864/09]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on such changes as are envisaged in the common position of the European Union in relation to Cuba. [41918/09]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs If he has held meetings with the newly installed Cuban Ambassador to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41919/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 100 and 116 together.

As the Deputy is aware, Cuba is undergoing a major transformation, and its relations with the EU have entered a new phase. Given this new context, I visited Cuba in February of this year and discussed a wide range of political, economic and social issues, including human rights. Following that visit, we are now examining how we might strengthen our bilateral relationship with Cuba and work is being taken forward with the Cuban authorities on that basis. In addition, at the Universal Periodic Review of Cuba at the fourth Universal Periodic Review Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier this year, Ireland submitted a number of recommendations on human rights in Cuba.

The EU Common Position on Cuba, agreed during the Irish Presidency of the EU in December 1996, is reviewed on an annual basis at the June General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). During the review in June of this year, the Council welcomed the resumption of political dialogue with Cuba, which allows both sides to discuss openly issues of mutual interest. A high level political dialogue meeting between the EU and Cuba, which had been due to take place en marge of the UN General Assembly in New York in September was postponed and will now take place on 28 November in Brussels. Topics for discussion will include EU-Cuba cooperation, human rights and climate change. The EU Common Position on Cuba will next be examined at the June 2010 GAERC; discussions within the EU will commence in the Spring. I will meet with the Cuban Ambassador in the coming weeks.