Dinny McGinley
Question:61 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent vote at the UN calling on the US to end its blockade of Cuba. [30405/03]
Written Answers. - Common Foreign and Security Policy.
On 4 November 2003, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/Res/58/7 proposed by Cuba on the "necessity of ending of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba". The entire membership of the European Union supported the resolution.
This is the twelfth consecutive year in which the resolution has been proposed. The outcome has been the same each time, namely, a clear endorsement of the Cuban draft, although the precise voting figures have varied somewhat from year to year. On this occasion, the resolution was supported by 179 countries, with three voting against and two abstaining.
The Government's position on the embargo has been made quite clear over the years by our consistent vote against it in the UN General Assembly, together with our EU partners. Overall, EU policy on Cuba continues to be defined by the common position which was first adopted by the Union's Council of Ministers in 1996. The common position aims to encourage a process of transition to pluralist democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, a lasting economic recovery and an improvement in living standards for the Cuban people.