On 29 November 2016, the Luxembourg Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, attended Fidel Castro’s tribute memorial service in Havana, Cuba.
Last week, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, accepted the Cuban government’s invitation to attend a tribute ceremony for the late Fidel Castro, which took place in the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana.
During his visit, the Minister also met with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla in which they discussed bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Cuba and the latter’s situation, as well as current regional and international politics.
The ministers emphasised Cuba’s relationship with the European Union and were happy to conclude negotiations surrounding a bilateral agreement regarding political dialogue and cooperation. This historic agreement, which is planned to be signed on 12 December 2016 in Brussels means that the EU will help Cuba along its continued process of change and modernisation by providing a more solid framework for political dialogue and better cooperation. Indeed, promoting and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms remains at the heart of these relations.
Regarding the USA’s political openness to Cuba, as announced in December 2014 by presidents Obama and Castro, the two ministers exchanged opinions on the different steps of the process. This was followed by discussions on the eventuality of Trump’s administration.
Finally, the discussions turned to the current regional situation, mainly regarding the situation in Venezuela and Columbia, where Cuba plays an important role as much as mediator and garantor of the Columbian peace process.
Photo by MAEE. From left to right: Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba Minister of Foreign Affairs
