Cuba seeks stronger EU-CELAC relations, condemns EU’s ‘manipulative habits’ By Reuters

HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba will look to broaden cooperation at an upcoming summit of European Union, Latin American and Caribbean leaders subsequent week, its overseas minister mentioned, however accused the EU of “manipulative habits” that would hamper leaders’ ambitions.

Heads of state from the EU and the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) are set to fulfill in Brussels on July 17-18, the primary summit after an eight-year hiatus, the place they’re anticipated to debate local weather change, growth financing and the humanitarian disaster in Haiti.

“We hope the summit will enable us to broaden inclusive and mutually advantageous cooperation in areas of excessive precedence,” Cuban International Minister Bruno Rodriguez mentioned in a press release Monday, pointing to meals safety and renewable energy.

Nonetheless, Rodriguez added the EU’s “lack of transparency and manipulative habits in getting ready for the summit places its success in severe danger.”

The diplomat mentioned the EU had tried to impose restrictive, divisive methods of holding talks that made “direct, clear talks unimaginable.”

The EU’s diplomatic service didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

“Those that attempt to impose a biased and Europeanist imaginative and prescient of the bi-regional relationship could have no likelihood of success in Brussels,” Rodriguez mentioned.

The EU is Cuba’s prime commerce associate and says it’s dedicated to mutual respect regardless of U.S. sanctions in opposition to Havana and the opening of the island to Russian businessmen.

Josep Borrell, the EU’s prime diplomat, visited Havana final Might the place he criticized Washington’s over six-decade-old commerce embargo in opposition to Cuba. He has additionally expressed concern concerning the island’s human rights report.

“Cuba will go to the Brussels summit with a constructive spirit,” Rodriguez added, saying the nation would contribute as a lot as potential to strengthen EU-CELAC relations “on the idea of equality and mutual respect.”