Head of European diplomacy defends according to Cuba despite criticism

The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, defended the Agreement for Political Dialogue and Cooperation (ADPC) between the European Union and Cuba, despite criticism for the lack of advances in human rights.

During a debate This Tuesday in the European Parliament, Kallas said that the agreement is still useful for promoting European values ​​and promoting reforms, although he admitted that he has not had the expected results.

The diplomat said that «the EU does not have the ability or desire to impose a change.»

«Given economic difficulties and changes in geopolitical dynamics, (the agreement) remains the best EU opportunity to promote our values, defend our interests and support reforms,» ​​he said.

The ADPC «provides a structured framework to discuss issues in which we are different,» he said and then acknowledged that «it is not a silver bullet.»

During the presentation Kallas also expressed concern about the situation of political prisoners José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro and insisted that the EU «does not support the regime.»

After his speech, the Eurodiputa Gabriel Mato, of the European Popular Party, said that «the EU cannot continue ignoring what happens in Cuba.»

«There are no excuses, seven years ago we supported the agreement and today we have to ask to suspend it,» he said.

Opposition leaders and civil society organizations have hardly questioned that agreement. In last February the Council for the Democratic Transition in Cuba urged the European Union to review it because «it has failed in the purpose of promoting political openness.»

«Instead of strengthening civil society, it has served to consolidate the power of the government over society, and not of society over the government» and to «normalize repression,» The advice said In a statement.

The text indicates that, since its signature in 2016, the ADPC has been presented as a tool to promote dialogue, development and cooperation but that «reality shows that the Cuban regime has instrumentalized this agreement to obtain economic benefits and sell an image and narrative of modernization.»