Spanish Parliament calls for suspension of EU-Cuba Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement

Eduardo González The Joint Congress-Senate Commission for the European Union has urged the Government to request the suspension of the EU Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba “until the country offers guarantees of progress in respect for human rights.” This past Monday, the Joint Commission approved (with the favorable votes of PP and Vox and the votes against of PSOE) a Non-Law Proposal presented by the People’s Parliamentary Group in Congress in which it was noted that the Agreement on Political Dialogue and Cooperation between the European Union and Cuba (ADPC) was signed in December 2016 “with the aim of establishing cooperation on issues of human rights, sustainable development and improving the well-being of the Cuban people, while promoting an opening towards democracy.” “However, almost eight years after its signing, the declared objectives have not been met,” the motion regrets. “There have been no substantial advances in human rights or significant improvements in the living conditions of Cubans,” it continues. “On the contrary, the number of political prisoners has experienced an alarming increase, multiplying almost ninefold since the end of 2019.” According to the PP, the aid and cooperation promoted by Spain and the European Union “must improve the standard of living of Cubans, not help perpetuate a totalitarian regime.” The motion also warns that “the ADPC conditioned its application to progress in these matters and Cuba’s compliance with its obligations.” According to the People’s Group, in several resolutions the European Parliament has noted the lack of progress in this matter and the deterioration of the human rights situation on the island. “For this reason, it requested the activation of the so-called human rights clause with the activation of article 85, section 3, letter b), of the agreement,” it added. According to the text, Spanish foreign policy “must be linked to democracy and the promotion of human rights and, to this end, there is much that can be done from our diplomatic representation in Havana” and in the multilateral forums “in which our country participates, particularly in the European Union.” “In Brussels, Spanish diplomacy must lead a common position that conditions the relationship with the island to the achievement of incontestable progress in terms of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights,” it adds. Therefore, the approved motion urges the Government to “request the European Union to activate article 85, section 3, letter b) of the Agreement on Political Dialogue and Cooperation with Cuba, until the country offers guarantees of progress in respect for human rights.” The aforementioned article provides, in the event of “significant infringement” of “the essential elements” of the Agreement (with special attention to respect and promotion of democratic principles, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and respect for the rule of law”), the adoption of “appropriate measures” in accordance with international law, including “the suspension” of the Agreement as a “measure of last resort.”

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