§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's(a) policy on and (b) relationship with Cuba. [175148]
§ Mr. RammellUK policy towards Cuba is one of constructive engagement and dialogue, as set out by the EU's Common Position on Cuba which was adopted in 1996. The Common Position states that, "The main objective of the European Union in its relations with Cuba is to encourage a process of peaceful transition to pluralistic democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as improvement in the living standards of the Cuban people." We do not favour isolating Cuba, and have consistently voted against the US Embargo at the United Nations General Assembly.
Following a crackdown on the peaceful opposition in March 2003, the EU—in line with the Common Position—condemned Cuba's actions and adopted a series of measures that reflected our human rights concerns. The Cuban response to these measures was to reject all EU development aid, and to "freeze" contact with EU Embassies in Havana. Nevertheless the UK continues to maintain close co-operation with Cuba in areas as diverse as child protection, migration and law enforcement, and encourages trade, tourism, education, sport, science and cultural links between the two countries. We remain committed to dialogue.