Havana, Cuba.- The High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, reiterated today the intention of the EU bloc to promote the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement signed with Cuba.

During a courtesy visit to the president of the National Assembly of People’s Power (Parliament), Esteban Lazo, included in the official program she meets on the island, Mogherini recalled that the European Parliament approved the aforementioned agreement and it is provisionally in force since last November.

In addition to the European Parliament (EP), seven national legislative bodies of the EU ratified the agreement thanks to the strong political will expressed by the parties, Mogherini explained.

She insisted that the agreement opens up new possibilities in trade relations, investments, and cultural exchange, as well as political dialogue, as she reaffirmed yesterday when meeting with Cuban authorities from various sectors.

She also pointed out that Cuba can have a reliable partner in the EU and assured its host that she will transfer to the European deputies the interest expressed by their Cuban counterparts to increase contacts and explore new areas of interparliamentary cooperation.

The senior European official also suggested taking interparliamentary relations beyond friendship groups, so as to include institutional committees and strengthen political dialogue.

On the other hand, she was interested in topics such as the current Cuban electoral process and the transformations that are analyzed in the National Assembly of Popular Power.

In this regard, Lazo said that the Cuban parliament works hard on several reforms described as compelling, but that they go through complex processes such as changes in the Constitution of the country.

The Cuban deputy agreed with Mogherini on the relevance of closer ties with the EP on the basis of mutual respect. ‘It has not been easy, but the most important thing is to continue advancing,’ said Lazo, who considered the visit of the official as a confirmation of that will.

He also thanked the head of European diplomacy for her support for the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement and the impulse given to it in different instances of the EU bloc.

According to the Cuban authorities, relations between Cuba and the EU are in good condition and are characterized by a favorable exchange.