EU Presidency Statement - Explanation of Vote: Embargo against Cuba

EU Presidency Statement on Item 18 "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" by the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations on behalf of the European Union at the Sixtieth Session of the General Assembly, New York

I have the honour of giving this statement on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.

The European Union believes that the United States trade policy towards Cuba is fundamentally a bilateral issue. Notwithstanding, the European Union and its member States have been clearly expressing their opposition to the extraterritorial extension of the United States embargo, such as that contained in the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 and the Helms-Burton Act of 1996.

In November 1996, the Council of Ministers of the European Union adopted a regulation and a joint action to protect the interest of natural or legal persons resident in the European Union against the extraterritorial effects of the Helms-Burton legislation, which prohibits compliance with that legislation. Moreover, on 18 May 1998, at the European Union/United States Summit in London, a package was agreed covering waivers to titles III and IV of the Helms-Burton Act; a commitment by the United States administration to resist future extraterritorial legislation of that kind; and an understanding with respect to disciplines for the strengthening of investment protection. The European Union continues to urge the United States to implement its side of the 18 May 1998 Understanding.

The European Union's policy towards Cuba is clear and was set out in a Common Position in 1996. The objective of the European Union in its relations with Cuba is to encourage a process of transition to pluralist democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as an improvement in the living standards of the Cuban people. Member States reaffirmed their commitment to this Common Position most recently on 13 June 2005.

The European Union believes that critical engagement with the Cuban government, alongside dialogue with wider Cuban civil society, is the most effective way to promote peaceful change in Cuba. However, the European Union considers that full co-operation with Cuba will depend upon improvements in human rights and political freedom in that country. The European Union remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Cuba. Following the arrests and sentencing of 75 members of the peaceful opposition in Spring 2003, the situation has not improved, and in the past few months has deteriorated. In July the Presidency of the European Union issued statements condemning the suppression of peaceful demonstrations by the State and the arrests of a number of people connected with peaceful demonstrations. In September the European Union issued a declaration about the situation of three political prisoners who were on hunger strike in protest at harsh treatment, all of whom were suffering severe health problems. The European Union urges the Cuban government to unconditionally release all political prisoners and appeals to the Cuban authorities to co-operate fully with international human rights bodies and mechanisms.

The Cuban government's achievements in healthcare and education are undermined by its restrictions on civil, political and economic rights. Domestic Cuban economic policy as well as the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States, seriously hampers the economic development of Cuba, negatively affecting the standards of living of the Cuban people. The European Union believes that the lifting of the US trade embargo would open Cuba's economy to the benefit of the Cuban people. The European Union also urges the Cuban government to bring about change in the economic field, particularly by lifting restrictions on private enterprise.

For the foregoing reasons, and in spite of its serious criticism of Cuba's human rights record, the European Union intends to vote in favour of the resolution.


* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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• EU Council Conclusions on Cuba - 2737 External Relations Council Meeting  (12/6/2006)
• EU Presidency Declaration on Damas de Blanco (14/12/2005)
• EU Presidency Declaration - Political Prisoners in Cuba (29/9/2005)
• Commissioner Michel sees clear opportunity to enhance political dialogue with Cuba (26/3/2005)
• GAERC - Council Conclusions on CUBA  (31/1/2005)