CUBA WELCOMES EU PROPOSAL, FM SAYS

Havana, March 7 (PL)- Cuba welcomes the proposal issued by the European Union (EU), which means the end to unilateral policies on the island, announced Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.

At a press conference, Rodriguez said that Cuba will accept the opening of negotiations on guidelines for a political dialogue and cooperation agreement with Cuba suggested by the EU.

He reiterated that Cuba will act constructively and believes that the unconditional, reciprocal and non-discriminatory principles adopted in 2008 are fully applicable and must be a point of reference in relationships.

Also, full respect for the sovereign equality of states, the legal framework and institutional arrangement of the parties and total adherence to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states should be kept, he added.

Rodriguez thanked Baroness Catherine Ashton, the member states of the European Union and the representatives of the European Commission for the efforts that led to this proposal, submitted on Feb. 10.

<