# CE2004088EN.01007601.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/76 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/76

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(2004/C 88 E/0083)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2303/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(8 July 2003)

Subject:   Cuba — European Commission delegation — human rights

Subject:

Since the EU has decided to:

| (a) | urge the Cuban authorities to free all political prisoners; |
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(a)

urge the Cuban authorities to free all political prisoners;

| (b) | limit the number of high-level bilateral meetings with Cuban dignitaries; |
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(b)

limit the number of high-level bilateral meetings with Cuban dignitaries;

| (c) | reduce the level of participation by the Member States in cultural events; |
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(c)

reduce the level of participation by the Member States in cultural events;

| (d) | invite Cuban dissidents to participate in ceremonies marking their national days; |
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(d)

invite Cuban dissidents to participate in ceremonies marking their national days;

| (e) | reassess its joint position vis-à-vis Cuba, |
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(e)

reassess its joint position vis-à-vis Cuba,

can the Commission say:

| — | whether those responsible for running its delegation have already been fully accredited with the Cuban authorities; |
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whether those responsible for running its delegation have already been fully accredited with the Cuban authorities;

| — | how the delegation in Cuba has implemented the EU decisions concerning that country; in particular whether the delegation has invited Cuban dissidents to take part in activities promoted in accordance with the recommendation made to the embassies of the Member States; |
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how the delegation in Cuba has implemented the EU decisions concerning that country; in particular whether the delegation has invited Cuban dissidents to take part in activities promoted in accordance with the recommendation made to the embassies of the Member States;

| — | what steps the delegation has taken or intends to take vis-à-vis the Cuban government to inform it of the Member States' decisions and its concern about and opposition to the government's totalitarian methods; |
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what steps the delegation has taken or intends to take vis-à-vis the Cuban government to inform it of the Member States' decisions and its concern about and opposition to the government's totalitarian methods;

| — | what issues it considers should be reassessed in the EU's joint position regarding Cuba? |
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what issues it considers should be reassessed in the EU's joint position regarding Cuba?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2003)

(31 July 2003)

The Commission's Delegation in Cuba is run by a Chargé d'Affaires a.i., under the responsibility of the Head of Delegation in the Dominican Republic, who must also be accredited as Head of Delegation in Cuba. The Cuban Government gave its agreement on 14 April 2003 to his appointment. The date for the presentation of the credentials of the Head of Delegation has yet to be fixed.

The Commission's Delegation in Cuba is fully associated with the implementation of the measures adopted by the Union on Cuba. The Delegation did invite dissidents to the reception organised for Europe Day on 9 May 2003. It participated in the two ‘troika’ démarches in Havana during the last months to inform the Cuban Government of the Union's decisions and to call for the immediate release of imprisoned dissidents.

The re-evaluation of the Union's Common Position has just been concluded.

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