Source: European Parliament
1. EU development cooperation aims at improving the living conditions of the Cuban population, in the framework of the partnership established under the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement[1]. No EU funds are channelled through the Cuban authorities. EU funding is directly transmitted to the implementing agencies in charge of the various EU projects, be it United Nations (UN) agencies, agencies of the Member States or European non-governmental organisations.
2. There has been some progress on each of the priorities agreed in the framework of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement and enumerated in its Article 2. In particular, the Agreement has framed EU-Cuba relations through a critical yet constructive engagement. It has supported Cuba’s economic modernisation through the progressive expansion of its private sector, and fostered improvements in human rights, including the adoption of the Family Code[2], the acceptance of 81% of recommendations under the UN Universal Periodic Review, and the recent decision by Cuba to free 553 detainees. It has also encouraged Cuba to advance towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, facilitated dialogue on trade and economic relations, as well as to address the impact of the United States embargo on the island, which also affects EU companies and citizens. The EU is committed to pursue its efforts to achieve additional, more significant results in all areas, with emphasis on the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to promote EU interests.
3. As indicated, no funds are directed at the Cuban Government. The objective of all EU cooperation initiatives is to support the Cuban population as a whole, which is currently enduring a particularly severe economic crisis, combined recently with other natural hazards such as hurricanes and earthquakes.