Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-11-16-Speech-2-143"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20041116.12.2-143"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, there has been an atmosphere of suspense in Cuba for some time. External pressures are mounting, while internally there has been a relative worsening of the situation for freedom of expression and more generally for human rights.
In this situation, the European Union must take up a clear position, without waiting for further events. What is Europe’s objective? It is proper to ask ourselves this question, because there are those who, especially in the United States, are hoping for a traumatic collapse of the regime, based on a hegemonic vision that has not altered substantially ever since the embargo was imposed.
Meanwhile, I must say that it is difficult to see what dynamic vision the ruling classes of Cuba now have for the future of their nation after the end of the cold war. All told, one can see a stalemate, caused by political immobilism both at home and abroad. In this situation, I believe that the Union cannot simply entrench itself behind the question of human rights, or, worse still, line up behind those who would use it as a political jemmy.
There are plenty of examples to show that what applies to Cuba does not apply in equal measure to many other countries. The recent European Union–ASEAN summit, with the full participation of Burma, perfectly encapsulates the double standard that operates on human rights.
Even today, in this Chamber, when Commissioner Patten was speaking on the subject of the arms embargo on China, he stated that the Commission has never established a direct link between a possible lifting of the embargo and human rights policy. He did clarify, however, and quite rightly, that further progress in the field of human rights could make a change in Europe’s attitude easier.
Well then, I do not see why the same pragmatic attitude, based on a positive and motivational approach – and not simply one that is sanctions-based and punitive – cannot also be applied to Cuba. As we all know from experience, in the era of globalisation, helping to break Cuba’s isolation through greater economic cooperation would not fail to have positive repercussions on its internal politics, beginning precisely with human rights. Only those who look to the future with the eyes of the past, anticipating ideological revenge, can ignore this simple truth.
That is why the European Union needs to change gear. We need more imagination and a new and autonomous policy towards Cuba. A more advanced and intense phase of political dialogue and cooperation must be opened up, which fully involves not only governments but also civil society in all its facets. We need to clear the path to a peaceful, negotiated transition towards a fully democratic and pluralistic change, and affirm the notion of a Cuban road to democracy. These must now be the objectives of the European Union."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples