(EFE).- The high representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, described this Saturday as “necessary” and “opportune” his four-day trip to Cuba.
In statements to the press, Borrell stressed that his visit is an “institutional obligation” that is part of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (ADPC) – in force since 2017 – and that it takes on greater value due to “the geopolitical context.” of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The European diplomat emphasized that Russia, the island’s political ally, “is spreading its message about how to interpret the causes and consequences of the war in Ukraine.” And that this is happening “particularly in Cuba.”
Since the start of the war, the island government and its state media have avoided talk of an invasion of Ukraine and have subscribed to the idea that the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) played an important role that motivated the start of the war. of the war and its prolongation.
In his speech after the conclusion of the third EU-Cuba joint council, Borrell assured that “whatever way this war is analyzed, it is clear that there is an aggressor and an aggressor. That Ukraine is a victim and Russia is the aggressor “.
The diplomat emphasized that Russia, the island’s political ally, “is spreading its message about how to interpret the causes and consequences of the war
The high representative recalled that a few days ago Havana hosted a business forum with dozens of companies from the Eurasian country and that it concluded with the signing of various documents and the commitment to increase Moscow’s financial and economic presence on the island.
For Borrell, Cuba has “an important geopolitical role” and attached importance to the fact that it currently chairs the Group of 77 and China (G77).
The high representative stressed that the human rights situation within the country, and especially the arrests and sentences against the protesters who were part of the protests of July 11, 2021 (July 11), continues to be a matter that “continues to worry” him. to the EU.
Next November, the EU special representative for human rights, Eamon Gilmore, will visit the Island to follow up on the situation of those sentenced for 9/11.
According to organizations such as Justicia 11J and Cubalex, thousands of people were arrested after the demonstrations and some 700 have been sanctioned so far, in some cases with up to 30 years in prison.
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