Following the historic declaration by US president Barack Obama and Cuban president Raul Castro this afternoon on easing the trade embargos and normalising diplomatic relations, the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament welcomed the new openness announced today, after 60 years of tensions.
Gianni Pittella, president of the S&D Group, commented:
"Finally the symbolic 'wall' erected between the US and Cuba during the Cold War has been brought down. Finally this dramatic page of 20th-century history has been turned. We are confident that the release and exchange of prisoners accused of espionage, the easing of the embargo, travel and trade facilities and the promise of normalising diplomatic relations by opening embassies, are good news as dialogue is the best way for relations between states and global governance.
"We will work in order to strengthen the dialogue between the EU and Cuba too. Today's announcement opens a very positive outlook for the upcoming high-level meeting between Cuba and the EU scheduled for January."
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