“Not everything in diplomacy is the megaphone”

BRUSSELS, June 13 () –

The High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, defended his recent trip to Cuba in front of the European Parliament this Tuesday, pointing out that it served to promote reforms that open up the political and economic system in the country, at a time of social and economic crisis.

“I did what I had to do. Our policy is not to block dialogue due to the political situation in Cuba, but to take advantage of the possibilities that this agreement gives us. Not everything in diplomacy is the megaphone,” stressed the head of European diplomacy during the debate at the parliamentary headquarters in Strasbourg.

In this sense, Borrell has demanded that the EU take advantage of the instruments of dialogue with the Miguel Díaz-Canel regime at its disposal, insisting that the previous position of the EU, sponsored by Spain during the period of José María Aznar “did not give no tangible results.

Thus, he has indicated that the EU offers a socioeconomic model based on a democratic society that is the “starting point” to maintain a “critical and constructive dialogue” with Havana.

Borrell’s visit to Cuba at the end of May, the first since he was in charge of EU foreign relations, has been the subject of debate in the European Parliament, which will prepare a resolution for next July on the issue.

Borrell has faced criticism from conservative MEPs for “normalizing” relations with the regime and not holding meetings with Cuban dissidents during his stay on the island. In this sense, the PP MEP Leopoldo Gil has demanded from the High Representative that the EU suspend the dialogue with Cuba in the face of Human Rights violations by Havana and that his invitation to the next EU summit in Brussels be reviewed and CELAC.