Dutch Foreign Minister calls for new EU policy on Cuba

The Netherlands' foreign minister urged the European Union to take a new look at its relationship with Cuba. During a visit to the country in January 2014, he said the best way to promote change on the island was through dialogue, not isolation.

The EU has restricted its political ties with the Cuban government to try to encourage multi-party democracy and an end to human rights violations.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 08.01.14: Netherlands breaks with EU to open dialogue with Cuba http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/netherlands-breaks-eu-open-dialo-news-532635

Euronews, 08.01.14: Dutch break with EU to open talks with Cuba http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/08/dutch-break-with-eu-to-open-talks-with-cuba/

LSE EuroppBlog, 28.01.14: Relaxing the EU’s Common Position on Cuba would allow Europe to play a more active role in shaping the country’s development http://bit.ly/EUCuba

DutchNews.nl, 07.01.14: Europe should look again at Cuba, says Dutch foreign minister http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2014/01/europe_should_look_again_at_cu.php

Netherlands: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release, 07.01.14: Timmermans encourages Cuba to undertake further reforms http://www.government.nl/ministries/bz/news/2014/01/07/timmermans-encourages-cuba-to-undertake-further-reforms.html

---