Some comments on the relations between Cuba and the EU. EUMA Paper Vol. 7, No. 3, April 2010

Buck., Karl (2010) Some comments on the relations between Cuba and the EU. EUMA Paper Vol. 7, No. 3, April 2010. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

[From the Introduction]. 1. This article, based on twenty years of experience with the issue in the EU Council of Ministers, gives a short overview of the evolution of relations, major events, chances and obstacles. I consider such an effort necessary since recently, from various political backgrounds not just in Cuba, statements are made which in my view are based on incorrect or incomplete knowledge, or on ideological considerations which do the EU policy no justice. Politics are politics – but distorting facts is never a good base. In particular, I contest affirmations by “friends of Cuba” like: - the EU is “dependent of the US policy towards Cuba” - the EU has “accepted the interventionist US policy in favour of the transatlantic partnership” - the Common Position of the EU tries to force system change in Cuba”2 Ideological positions are always more at ease with black-and white visions than with the usually more complex real world which requests more thorough analysis but offers also more possible ways out of challenges. At times, Cuban authorities were more pragmatic than their followers in Europe or LA.

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