This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7463803.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| EU to lift sanctions against Cuba | |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| The European Union is to lift sanctions imposed on Cuba in 2003 in protest at the imprisonment of more than 70 Cuban dissidents by the Castro government. | |
| "Cuban sanctions will be lifted," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said at the end of the first day of an EU summit in Brussels. | |
| The sanctions were suspended in 2005 but not completely removed. | |
| Their definitive removal is largely symbolic but still a success for Raul Castro's new government, analysts say. | |
| The decades-old US trade embargo against Cuba remains in place. | The decades-old US trade embargo against Cuba remains in place. |
| Earlier, the US state department said it hoped the EU sanctions would not be lifted because there had not been "any kind of fundamental break" with communism as practiced under Fidel Castro. | |
| 'Important reforms' | 'Important reforms' |
| The original sanctions imposed by the European Union five years ago included a limit on high-level government visits and the participation of EU diplomats in cultural events in Cuba. | The original sanctions imposed by the European Union five years ago included a limit on high-level government visits and the participation of EU diplomats in cultural events in Cuba. |
| Most European embassies also invited prominent Cuban dissidents to receptions as a protest against the country's human rights record. | Most European embassies also invited prominent Cuban dissidents to receptions as a protest against the country's human rights record. |
| Relations improved in 2005, but the measures were not completely removed. | Relations improved in 2005, but the measures were not completely removed. |
| Since Raul Castro in effect took over from his brother, Fidel, nearly two years ago, Spain in particular has pressed hard for a complete removal of the sanctions in the light of what it sees as important reforms in Cuba. | Since Raul Castro in effect took over from his brother, Fidel, nearly two years ago, Spain in particular has pressed hard for a complete removal of the sanctions in the light of what it sees as important reforms in Cuba. |
| Other countries like Sweden, and in particular the Czech Republic, believe the changes are mainly cosmetic, especially in the area of human rights. | Other countries like Sweden, and in particular the Czech Republic, believe the changes are mainly cosmetic, especially in the area of human rights. |
| In practice, the EU sanctions are largely symbolic. Unlike the US embargo which has been in force since 1962, they do not amount to any restriction on trade or investment. | In practice, the EU sanctions are largely symbolic. Unlike the US embargo which has been in force since 1962, they do not amount to any restriction on trade or investment. |
| Moreover, in recent years, and particularly under Raul Castro, the Cuban government has diversified its international relations. | Moreover, in recent years, and particularly under Raul Castro, the Cuban government has diversified its international relations. |
| Venezuela, which supplies billions of dollars worth of oil in exchange for Cuban doctors, and China, which buys considerable amounts of Cuba's nickel, are much more important trading partners than Europe. | Venezuela, which supplies billions of dollars worth of oil in exchange for Cuban doctors, and China, which buys considerable amounts of Cuba's nickel, are much more important trading partners than Europe. |