EU and Cuba to resume talks June 15

A new round of talks to warm relations between the European Union and Cuba has been scheduled for June 15 and 16 in Brussels, a Havana official told AFP Wednesday.

Cuba and the EU are in discussions to normalize their ties as the United States is similarly trying to restore relations and put an end to decades of enmity with the communist nation.

The European group of 28 nations and Cuba are aiming to sign a political framework for dialogue and cooperation as part of the talks by the end of 2015.

"We have disagreements on certain issues, it will take an effort to get closer to the points on which we have different views," said Elio Rodriguez Perdomo from Cuba's foreign ministry.

The discussions with the EU include human rights and political reform, areas where the communist country has drawn criticism.

In 2003, the EU froze relations with Cuba over a crackdown on activists and journalists. It started talks to resume them in April last year.

After the United States announced in December that it would seek to restore diplomatic ties with Cuba, numerous exchanges and dialogues have taken place between the two countries.

On Friday, the United States dropped Cuba from its terror black list, but the American embargo imposed on the island nation in 1962 remains in place and will be a key hurdle in resuming diplomatic ties as it requires congressional approval.