Cuba would like to develop relations with the European Union (EU) based on mutual respect and non interference, said Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Eumelio Caballero during the opening session of the 14th International Conference on European Studies that began Tuesday in Havana.

Unfortunately, said the Cuban diplomat, the EU is still vulnerable to
US pressures and it is unable to conduct an independent policy towards the island.

Speaking to almost 50 deputies, academics and leaders of political
parties from Europe and Latin America, Caballero said that Havana has taken note of a proposal from the Council of Ministers of Foreign
Affairs from the European Union to hold an integral and open political
dialogue with Cuba, although this initiative is affected by the
interfering Common Position of 1996 and the sanctions adopted against the island by the EU in 2003.

The Cuban diplomat noted that it is not possible to hold a respectful
dialogue between peers in these conditions and that the definite
elimination of these sanctions is essential.

After denouncing the anti-Cuba services paid to the US government by the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, Caballero stressed that Cuba will adopt all necessary measures so that no attempt to violate the legal order on the island remains unpunished.

Some of the topics discussed during the first day of the Conference on European Studies included the re-emergence of Russia as a world power in front of the western powers, particularly the United States; as well as other topics related to the process of unification of the German Left and nationalism in Europe.
(acn)