Just days before President Obama visits Cuba, the European Union has normalised relations
with the Communist-run island.
Hosted by President Raul Castro in Havana, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini oversaw the signing of the deal on Friday.
It brings Cuba further into the international fold, paving the way for full economic cooperation with the 28-member bloc.
A human rights dialogue will also be maintained – all a far cry from past tension over Cuba’s jailing of dissidents.
Three hours meeting between FedericaMog and President Raul Castro after the announcement of the #EU/Cuba agreement pic.twitter.com/GPuWK2kWg0— Sabrina Bellosi (sabellosi) 11 mars 2016
The pact adds to Cuba’s rapidly thawing relations with the West, marked by its restoration of diplomatic ties with the United States after five decades of Cold War hostility.
President Obama’s visit to Cuba this month will be the first by a US president in nearly 90 years.
But even as he prepares to unveil meas