Talks for the establishment of an Agreement on Political Dialogue and Cooperation between Cuba and the European Union (EU) continue today in this capital.

Diplomats from both sides states that the aim of the process is to contribute to normalized relations between the bloc and the Caribbean nation.

The objective of this first round of negotiations, which concludes today, is to agree on the organizational aspects of the talks, which will be held alternately in Havana and Brussels, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

The island is one of the few countries on the American continent that does not have such an agreement in its relations with the EU, due to the so-called "common position," a restrictive policy approved by the group in 1996 for interaction with Cuba, that remains in force.

However, in February the foreign affairs ministers of the group approved in the directives to start negotiations, as a result of a reconciliation process.

Later, in March, Cuba communicated its agreement with the holding of talks based on reciprocity, non-discrimination and full respect for the sovereign equality of all States, within the legal framework and institutional order of the parties, as well as with total respect for the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of the States.

EU's European External Action Service (EEAS) Managing Director for the Americas Christian Leffler and Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno are leading the negotiations.

A recent example of the new view towards Cuba by the bloc was the visit to Havana of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, during which the diplomat held a long and unprecedented meeting with President Raul Castro.

Fabius came accompanied by French business representatives interested in the opportunities the new Cuban foreign investment law offers.