WRITTEN QUESTION E-0144/04 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Cuba — Commission delegation.
Date: 2004-01-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Commission Delegation, Cuba, EU relations, appointment of staff, diplomatic profession, diplomatic relations

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/685

The question of the defence of human rights and in particular of those of women and children is
considered of prime importance by the Commission. The Commission will continue to stress their
importance in its future contacts with Jordanian authorities

In the framework of the EU-Jordan Association Agreement, the Union and Jordan is establishing a
continuous political dialogue at the highest level aimed inter alia at improving the human rights situation
in Jordan. This includes cooperation on particular issues relating to human rights as well as working to
improve the application of international conventions.

(2004/C 88 E/0704)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0144/04

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(26 January 2004)

Subject: Cuba (cid:1) Commission delegation

In reply to my question P-2303/03 (1), Commissioner Nielson said that the Cuban Government had agreed
to the appointment of the Head of Commission Delegation in Cuba on 14 April 2003.

At that time, it had not been scheduled when his credentials were to be presented.

Can the Commission answer the following:

(cid:1) has there been any further developments? Has the date for accreditation now been fixed;

(cid:1) what steps have been taken to regularise this situation;

(cid:1) have the Cuban authorities given any expiation of the delay;

(cid:1) how does the Commission read the situation, and what comments does it have to make?

(1) See page 76.

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2004)

No date has been fixed yet for the presentation of credentials, despite official indications that the ceremony
It is worth noting that the Head of the Commission’s Santo Domingo
was imminent three times.
Delegation already appears in the recently published 2004 ‘List of the diplomatic and consular corps
accredited in Cuba’ as ‘designated’ non-resident Head of Delegation of the European Communities in
Havana.

The Commission’s Chargé d’affaires in Havana has repeatedly requested during the last months that the
authorities indicate a date for the presentation of credentials. The last time this matter was officially
brought to the attention of the authorities was on 24 November 2003 in a meeting with the Cuban
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Similar démarches have been undertaken to the Cuban Embassies in Santo
Domingo and in Brussels.

So far no reply to the request to set a specific date has been received.

The Commission assumes that the Cuban authorities may not consider the current state of bilateral
relations conducive for formalising the accreditation of the Commission’s non-resident Head of Delegation
in Havana. It needs to be remembered that a diplomatic freeze was imposed on all EU missions in Cuba
which have invited dissidents and political opponents to their respective National Days. Cuban dissidents
were invited to the Schuman Day reception on 9 May 2003 in Havana.