European Union Expresses Annoyance over U.S. Blockade against Cuba

‘Despite the obstacles, the EU will continue to identify opportunities to finance investment projects and achieve greater exchange,’ said Director General of International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission Stefano Manservisi.

‘The problem of the U.S. economic, financial and commercial blockade will not be solved in two days, but the position of the EU is very clear,’ said Manservisi, while referring to the repeated condemnation of the U.S. blockade at the United Nations.

Manservisi said that during his current visit to Havana he held a meeting with the highest authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment in order to assess specific initiatives.

Manservisi said that next February 27th, the first joint council between the EU and Cuba will be held in Brussels, Belgium, seeking to increase bilateral relations in different areas, renewable energy, agriculture, management of climate change and culture, amid other issues.

Manservisi said that Cuba advances in the updating of its economic and social model with a comprehensive approach, in a context of stability and growth.

Manservisi told the media that the EU would be willing to offer technical assistance to eliminate the two currencies situation in Cuba, a prioritized objective for the country, as ratified by the Parliament in late December 2017.

According to Manservisi, the experience in the creation of the euro zone can be useful, since it involved the unification of 19 national currencies into a single common currency, the euro.

He also mentioned the willingness to invite Cuba to join a future trade and assistance agreement between the EU and almost 80 African, Caribbean and Pacific States, following the forthcoming renegotiation of the current Cotonou Treaty.