Foreign Affairs Ministers held an exchange of views over lunch, within the Foreign Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 25 October, on recent political and economic developments in Cuba and on the options for the EU's policy towards Cuba.

One of the main points on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council, chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, focused on the future relations with Cuba. Over their exchange of views, Ministers welcomed the on-going release of political prisoners and expressed the hope that the process would lead to the release of all political prisoners in the country.

After the debate, Ministers agreed to maintain EU's Policy decision about Cuba, a decision which has been requested in several occasions by many parties as it was the case for political ex-prisoners released back in September. However, Ministers also welcomed the announcements regarding economic reforms, and considered that these should aim to improve the living conditions of the Cuban population.

Future relations with Cuba

Ministers agreed to start a reflection and to ask the High Representative, within the framework of the EU's common position on Cuba, to explore the possibilities on the way forward for relations with Cuba, and to report back to the Council as soon as possible.

The Council's aim is to identify the most effective way to promote EU values and interests in Cuba.