Written Answers. - Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
149
Ms O'Sullivan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the progress he has made on the resolution of the perceived inconsistency between the Government's vote at the United Nations on Cuba and the common resolution adopted by member countries of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23748/01]
The Deputy is correct in stating that I have indeed acknowledged in this House that there is a perception of inconsistency between, on the one hand, the position adopted by Ireland and its EU partners at the UN in opposition to the US economic embargo against Cuba, and on the other hand, the EU Common Position on Cuba which continues to find – in its regular evaluations of the situation in that country – that conditions are not yet ripe there for the establishment of the kind of special partnership which the EU maintains with other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
However, the fact that such a perception exists does not mean that it reflects the reality. There is, in truth, no inconsistency.
Unlike the US, the EU operates no sanctions against Cuba. On the contrary, EU member states carry on normal relations with Havana across the full spectrum of contacts from trade to culture. In fact, the Fifteen have actively developed their economic relationship with the island to such an extent that the EU is now Cuba's leading foreign investor, principal trade partner, premier source of tourists, and largest provider of development aid and humanitarian assistance.
However, what the EU cannot do – as yet at any rate, and much though it would wish to do so – is to advance beyond normal relations to the kind of special relationship represented by the structured co-operation agreements which have been negotiated with other countries in the region. These co-operation agreements are partnerships based on the shared values of respect for democracy and human rights.
Regrettably, the authorities in Havana do not – at this time – share our view of these values. In its most recent annual report on Cuba, Amnesty International stated the following:
Individuals and groups peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly continued to face repression. Some conditional releases of prisoners of conscience gave rise to hopes that the attitude of the Cuban government towards dissidents might be thawing, but new sentences and a serious escalation in repression during the closing months of 2000 discouraged such optimism. Journalists, political opponents and human rights defenders were subjected to sev ere harassment. Several hundred people, at least 13 of whom were prisoners of conscience, remained imprisoned for political offences. The authorities continued to use short-term detention, house arrest, threats and harassment to stifle and discourage political dissent.
Following a close and careful assessment of the current conditions obtaining in Cuba, the EU General Affairs Council of 25 June 2001 agreed the following conclusions:
The Council took note of the ninth evaluation of the EU Common Position on Cuba. The Council noted that since the previous evaluation last December, there have not been any substantial signs of change of policy by the Cuban Government towards the accomplishment of the aims of the Common Position. Furthermore, the Common Position remains the basis of the European Union's policy towards Cuba and therefore the Council took note of its continued validity.
The Council reiterated that the objectives of the European Union towards Cuba remain the encouragement of a process of peaceful transition to pluralist democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Although the socio-economic situation remains precarious, the Council has taken note of signs of improvement of living standards for the population.
The Council considers that it is essential that the EU and the Cuban authorities engage in a constructive and frank dialogue on all issues of common interest. The European Union remains open to resume such dialogue. In the light of the ninth evaluation, the Council considers that a broader presence of EU actors in Cuba would lead to a more efficient pursuit of the Common Position as it would offer opportunities for an ongoing process of dialogue, exchanges of experiences and learning for the future.
Therefore, the Council encourages the European Commission to strengthen its efforts for co-operation with, in particular, civil and non-governmental organisations in Cuba. The Council would welcome engagement in a constructive dialogue with Cuba on a future co-operation framework based on respect for democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law.
The Council, therefore, was on this occasion reluctantly obliged once again to renew the Common Position, pending a change in Cuban policy regarding human rights and freedoms which would enable Havana to accept the standards applied by the EU to all countries – without any discrimination – wishing to have the kind of enhanced relationship with the Union inherent in an institutionalised co-operation agreement
At the same time, in order to try to disperse any mistaken perceptions about EU policy of the kind invoked by the Deputy, the Council Conclusions also contained those very positive provisions, which I have just quoted, regarding the Union's eagerness for constructive dialogue with Cuba.
Since then, the Belgian President of the Council, Foreign Minister Louis Michel, has acted on those provisions by visiting Havana to explore the possibilities for progress over the coming period.
It would be gratifying indeed if such progress were to prove possible.
Question No. 150 answered with Question No. 127.
