The European Union and Cuba: The Common Position

The Obstacles of Collective Governance

In 1996 the European Union (EU) outlined a “common position” on Cuba, which has guided relations between the two political entities ever since. Each June, the EU stages a review deciding to amend its common position or to maintain the same stance. On June 10, 2010, the EU decided to postpone this year’s review until the fall. This action was spurred by the recent negotiations that were undertaken between the Cuban government and the Cuban Catholic Church along with Spain, concerning the recently announced release of political detainees in Cuba. While the Spanish Prime Minister pushes for a new common position on the island country that will allow for a more amplified relationship between the two sides, there are still several large obstacles to making Spain’s conciliatory goal a reality.

The European Union and the Contentious Island

The current EU common position on Cuba was established in 1996 under the influence of the Spanish Prime Minister. The policy establishes a unilateral relationship with Cuba on the basis of human rights and political openness. Unlike United States policy, the EU outlines a procedure that excludes coercive means for encouraging political change in Cuba. The EU aims to open the Cuban economy through increased trade and cooperation. The common position encourages peaceful change in Cuba through increased dialogue between the government and the Cuban people, and also allows EU countries to push for freedom of the press and of association.

For full article click here

This analysis was prepared by Abigail Griffith