Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-11-16-Speech-2-129"
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"en.20041116.12.2-129"2
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".
Mr President, in its relations with Cuba, as with any other country of the world, and particularly the developing world, the European Union must pursue two objectives: on the one hand, it must contribute to improving the lives of the Cuban people in all respects, including in terms of freedoms and human rights, areas in which we note serious shortcomings, and on the other, it must defend European interests of other types in Cuba.
We are convinced that the progress we are pursuing for Cubans and for European interests in Cuba will be achieved more easily through broad and rigorous dialogue and cooperation, which is critical whenever it needs to be, but never hostile and without making any prejudgements. Furthermore, in doing so we will be applying the same approach to that country as we do to China, Vietnam, Iran, Israel, Syria, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan and also the United States and dozens of other countries in which we note very serious shortcomings, which in many cases are much more serious than those in Cuba, in terms of freedoms, human rights and the Rule of Law, but with which we talk and cooperate precisely with a view to improving the things we do not like.
Mr President, that is the aim of the resolution presented by our group and supported by other sections of the House.
There have been two characteristics of the European Union’s policy on Cuba over recent years that have set that country apart, made it an exception, all in line with an unjustifiable approach which the founders of that policy were never able to justify. The European Union’s dialogue and cooperation with all the countries of the world includes a chapter on the human rights situation. It is an extremely important chapter, but there are others. Only in the case of Cuba is the human rights chapter exclusive, precluding any other chapter which should exist in our relations with that country.
Furthermore, with all the countries of the world, the European Union’s dialogue and cooperation is aimed at overcoming shortcomings in the field of human rights. Only in the case of Cuba do those human rights shortcomings become a prior condition, preventing dialogue and cooperation.
At this point we must carry out an objective evaluation of that policy, the results of which have been a complete failure. Such an objective view reveals that, through this policy, not the slightest progress has been made in relation to freedoms or human rights in Cuba.
In addition to this, this policy has been a disaster for European interests in Cuba and it is condemned equally by businesspeople, non-governmental organisations, artists, religious leaders, etc. It has also been disastrous in terms of our diplomatic representatives carrying out their activities normally in that country.
Furthermore, however, this policy has demonstrated a complete distancing of our European societies from their respective national governments and the European Union itself, and absolutely no notice has been taken of their views. Similarly, various initiatives ignored or even boycotted by official bodies have attracted a great deal of participation from artists, authors, businesspeople and citizens of our countries. I am referring, for example, to the art biennale, the book fair, the ballet festival or the trade fair in Havana.
The Vice-Chairman of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Michael Ancram, has been in Cuba over recent days carrying out a programme of contacts at the highest level. It was no doubt to him that a distinguished colleague was referring when on Monday he talked about the visitors to the island, and I am sure it was with particular bitterness that his party colleague spoke of him.
Finally, we believe that this policy has damaged Europe’s credibility in Cuba and in the whole of Latin America, by giving the impression that we are supporting US strategies in the region.
Following this assessment, our conclusion is that the policy pursued so far by the European Union in relation to Cuba, and which is based on the common position and measures, must be reviewed, rationalised and updated. What we are saying is in line with what several Member State governments are saying in the European Council. Furthermore, we would make it absolutely clear that the change of policy we are advocating must not only mean not giving up on any of our objectives – expressed at the beginning of my speech – but must confirm them and aspire to contributing to achieving them more effectively than has been the case so far."@en1
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