Cuba, Spain FMs Meet in Paris

Cuba, Spain FMs Meet in ParisParis, Jun 10. -Cuba has reiterated on Thursday its willingness to maintain a dialogue with the European Union (EU) "on reciprocal bases, sovereign equality and noninterference in internal affairs."

At a meeting in this capital between Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and his Spanish counterpart, Miguel Angel Moratinos, Rodríguez again condemned the EU's unilateral Common Position.

"We reject the EU's interventionist and unilateral Common Position on our country, which is the main obstacle to the full normalization of relations," Rodriguez stated.

The Cuban diplomat, responding to an invitation by the Europeans, held a ministerial meeting this morning with the EU troika to continue the process begun in October 2008 in Paris.

According to an official note from the Cuban delegation, EU interest in enhancing cooperation with the island and in creating a contractual framework between both parties was stated during the meeting.

Rodriguez also expressed Cuba's wish to maintain friendly ties, which obligatorily involve EU acknowledgement and treatment of Cuba as an equal, taking into account respect for sovereignty.

Aspects of interest on the international agenda, cooperation with Haiti, and challenges within the current context marked by the global economic crisis and the effects of the climate change were analyzed in the talks.

In addition to Moratinos, as acting president of the 27 member states, representatives of the European Commission and the EU Council General Secretariat, took part in the meeting. (Prensa Latina)