Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on the relaxation of the EU's political position on Cuba.

On 29 April 2014, Cuba and the EU opened negotiations on a bilateral agreement on Political Dialogue and Cooperation in Havana. The UK supported the opening of negotiations with Cuba. The agreement will allow the EU to respond more effectively to Cuba’s ongoing process of change and modernisation by providing a stronger framework for political dialogue and improved cooperation. The defence and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms will remain central to the relationship. Two rounds of negotiations have so far taken place, led by the European External Action Service on the EU side. Our position during the negotiations has been balanced, constructive and supportive of the proposal.