The European Union's 1996 Common Position on Cuba, adopted under the Irish Presidency in 1996, remains the basis of both the European Union's and Ireland's approach to relations with that country. The aims of the EU Common Position include encouraging a process of peaceful transition towards a pluralist democracy, promoting human rights and improving the living conditions of the Cuban people.
In the Conclusions on Cuba adopted unanimously on 23 June 2008, the EU, noting the changes undertaken to date by the Cuban Government, re-iterated the Union's desire for a constructive dialogue with the Cuban authorities. Contrary to what is suggested by the Deputy, the Council further decided formally to lift the EU diplomatic measures, which had been suspended since 2005, in order to encourage and facilitate the political dialogue process and enable the full use of the instruments of the 1996 Common Position. Ireland was strongly supportive of this decision.
The Conclusions also re-stated the Union's human rights concerns, and urged the Cuban authorities to release all remaining political prisoners unconditionally and to facilitate access by international humanitarian organisations to Cuban prisons.
On the occasion of the annual review of the Common Position in June of next year, the Council will evaluate its relations with Cuba, including the effectiveness of the political dialogue process.