Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba enters into force

Background information:

The PDCA includes three main chapters on political dialogue, cooperation and sector policy dialogue as well as trade cooperation. Areas of common interest include for example renewable energies, rural development, the environment, human rights, good governance, security, and job creation.

Negotiating directives were adopted by the Council of the European Union in February 2014. Formal talks started in April 2014 and were completed after seven rounds in March 2016. On 11 March 2016, the High Representative for Foreign Policy visited Cuba for the seventh formal EU-Cuba political dialogue meeting, during which the agreement was formally initialled.

In September, the European Commission formally proposed the signing of the PDCA and the repeal of the previous framework, the EU's 1996 Common Position on Cuba. The Council formally endorsed it in December 2016, followed by the European Parliament in July 2017.

The Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) between Cuba and the European Union started its provisional application on 1 November 2017.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 13.10.17: Landmark EU-Cuba deal to take effect from November http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/landmark-eu-cuba-deal-to-take-effect-from-november/

EPRS: In-Depth Analysis, July 2017: EU-Cuba relations: a new chapter begins http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-cuba-relations-a-new-chapter-begins/

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