The EU and Cuba want to sign a joint economic agreement in 2015. By this, exports to Europe shall be facilitated and European investors are supposed to get a better position in case of a liberalization of the Cuban economy. Other precarious developments seem to fall behind these goals.
Amazed and hopeful the world watched a surprising handshake from Raúl Castro and Barack Obama at the memorial service for the late South African ex-President Nelson Mandela. The small gesture aroused new hopes of a rapprochement of the nations, which antagonize since over fifty years. But what followed was a disillusion: Until today the relationship between the socialist Cuba and the U.S. has not improved noticeably. The trade embargo by the Americans, for example, is still in place.
Historic handshake also with the EU?
The relationship with the EU has also been strained for a long time. When the Cuban government had arrested 75 dissidents in 1996, the international community announced to link further economic aid to the improvement of the human rights situation in the country. In addition, no more high-level government visits took place and EU diplomats stayed absent of cultural events in Cuba. Only the appointment of Fidel Castro’s brother Raul as president of the island in 2008 led to the lifting of these sanctions. Since then, the EU paid a total of 60 million Euros to the island nation. The money is supposed to help to restore food security in Cuba, to tackle climate change and to support reconstruction after the devastating hurricane “Sandy”. However, the relationship at the diplomatic level is still cold. The meeting between high representatives of the EU and Cuba in February leads now to hope for a relaxation on this level.
The announced “cooperation agreement” for 2015 allows the EU a firmer common position towards the Cuban government. With the termination of diplomatic cooperation in 1996, there were no longer any agreements at the supranational level. Nevertheless, in the meantime, 18 European States have signed their own bilateral agreements with Cuba. Economical relations are however already much closer since a long time. The EU is the second most important trading partner of Cuba, after Venezuela. One fifth of all exports are destined for the European market. In addition, one third of all tourists come from the Member States of the EU.
Diplomatic approach despite human rights violations
With the subsidies and the cooperation agreement, the European Union wants to have more influence on the economic orientation of Cuba. The hesitant opening of one of the last socialist countries is observed with great interest by European companies. The mutual consent on a bilateral agreement next year creates good prospects for European investors. The resumed negotiations are already interpreted as a step of a cautious rapprochement. But the human rights situation in the country is still poor, even if the visa requirements for Cuban exiles were relaxed in 2012. The World Report 2014, published by Human Rights Watch, describes ongoing politically motivated violations of human rights by the Cuban government.
Change through pressure?
What economic improvements the agreement will bring, should it actually be signed next year, depends greatly on the willingness to reform of Raúl Castro. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, commented recently: “We have consistently criticized the violations of human rights and this will continue to be the focus of our partnership.” It remains to be seen whether the EU adheres to this and whether the intense preparation for an increased cooperation with Cuba also entails noticeable improvements for human rights in the country.
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