An S&D delegation, led by president Gianni Pittella and accompanied by the chair of the human rights committee of the European Parliament, Elena Valenciano, and the S&D spokesperson on development policy, Norbert Neuser, is in Cuba from the 5 to 8 January.
The decision of the Obama administration to end the embargo with Cuba opens a new positive phase and the Socialists and Democrats Group want to contribute to the strengthening of relations between the European Parliament and the Cuban institutions and civil society.
In the framework of the visit, the S&D delegation will meet the Cuban minister for foreign affairs, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, the minister for commerce, Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, and Cardinal Jaime Ortega, among others.
Ahead of the visit, Gianni Pittella stated:
"We go to Havana first of all to underline our commitment to finalizing the political dialogue and cooperation agreement in the first six months of this year.
"It's unfair that Cuba is the only Latin American country not linked to the EU by a legal instrument. We will be monitoring the political situation, and the ongoing programmes to reinforce economic growth, social cohesion and the competitiveness of the country."
