Europe pushed for further cooperation with the island, widening the gap with the American administration, where Trump is ready to restore the embargo
by Emanuele Bonini
The European Union and the United States divided over Cuba. While the US president elected Donald Trump announced the intention of reconsidering Obama's thaw by restoring the embargo, Europe went forward in its process of political and economic normalization with the Cuban authorities. The Council of the EU gave green light yesterday to the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba, a new deal aimed to reshape the bilateral relations. Although it is an important and historic moment, the agreement could pose problems in light of the transatlantic partnership, considered at stake after Donald Trump's victory.
EU-Cuba relations
The political dialogue and cooperation agreement, the first ever agreement between the EU and Cuba, will constitute the new legal framework for EU-Cuba relations. It foresees an enhanced political dialogue, improved bilateral cooperation and the development of joint action in multilateral fora. The agreement comprises three main chapters on political dialogue, cooperation and sector policy dialogue as well as trade and trade cooperation. The agreement will be signed and concluded as a "mixed" agreement. This means that on the EU side, it must be signed by both the EU and the member states, and ratified by all relevant national and regional parliaments. The agreement will be applied on a provisional basis, pending ratification by all of the member states. Provisional application will concern the provisions of EU competence.
Impact on transatlantic relationship?
It has to be seen how this agreement will affect (whenever it will) the transatlantic partnership. Since the declaration of the results of the presidential elections in the United States, the EU leaders expressed their concenrs over the future of the relationship with the American administration. Donald Trump has a different approach when it comes to foreign affairs, including Europe. He didn't entered in contact with the EU institutions, and he announced a stop of the Obama's policy on Cuba. The decision taken in Europe goes in the opposite directions. Boosting cooperation with Cubans could mean having a further element of tensions between Trump and the EU counterpart. In somehow Europe is challenging the United States on a very sensitive field such as the Cuban dossier.
Juncker's statement on Castro
When it comes to Cuba the different in attitude is all in Jean-Claude Juncker's statement on the passing away of the so called Leader maximo. «Fidel Castro was one of the historic figures of the past century and the embodiment of the Cuban Revolution. With the death of Fidel Castro, the world has lost a man who was a hero for many», said the president of the European Commission. Juncker's words are in contrast with the general consideration Americans have of Castro, seen like an expression of evil. The intention of moving forward in boosting the EU-Cuba relations must be considered in the wider political angle. So, let's wait and see how the next US administration will react.
The European Union and the United States divided over Cuba. While the US president elected Donald Trump announced the intention of reconsidering Obama's thaw by restoring the embargo, Europe went forward in its process of political and economic normalization with the Cuban authorities. The Council of the EU gave green light yesterday to the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba, a new deal aimed to reshape the bilateral relations. Although it is an important and historic moment, the agreement could pose problems in light of the transatlantic partnership, considered at stake after Donald Trump's victory.
EU-Cuba relations
The political dialogue and cooperation agreement, the first ever agreement between the EU and Cuba, will constitute the new legal framework for EU-Cuba relations. It foresees an enhanced political dialogue, improved bilateral cooperation and the development of joint action in multilateral fora. The agreement comprises three main chapters on political dialogue, cooperation and sector policy dialogue as well as trade and trade cooperation. The agreement will be signed and concluded as a "mixed" agreement. This means that on the EU side, it must be signed by both the EU and the member states, and ratified by all relevant national and regional parliaments. The agreement will be applied on a provisional basis, pending ratification by all of the member states. Provisional application will concern the provisions of EU competence.
Impact on transatlantic relationship?
It has to be seen how this agreement will affect (whenever it will) the transatlantic partnership. Since the declaration of the results of the presidential elections in the United States, the EU leaders expressed their concenrs over the future of the relationship with the American administration. Donald Trump has a different approach when it comes to foreign affairs, including Europe. He didn't entered in contact with the EU institutions, and he announced a stop of the Obama's policy on Cuba. The decision taken in Europe goes in the opposite directions. Boosting cooperation with Cubans could mean having a further element of tensions between Trump and the EU counterpart. In somehow Europe is challenging the United States on a very sensitive field such as the Cuban dossier.
Juncker's statement on Castro
When it comes to Cuba the different in attitude is all in Jean-Claude Juncker's statement on the passing away of the so called Leader maximo. «Fidel Castro was one of the historic figures of the past century and the embodiment of the Cuban Revolution. With the death of Fidel Castro, the world has lost a man who was a hero for many», said the president of the European Commission. Juncker's words are in contrast with the general consideration Americans have of Castro, seen like an expression of evil. The intention of moving forward in boosting the EU-Cuba relations must be considered in the wider political angle. So, let's wait and see how the next US administration will react.
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