EuroUnion’s foreign affairs chief will travel to Cuba

The European Union on Saturday (March 14) confirmed the news that its foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini (shown in photo on top), former Italian foreign minister, will visit Cuba this month.

[For background in Progreso Weekly, click here and here.]

The text of the announcement follows:

“Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, will visit Havana on 23 and 24 March.

“This is the first visit of a European Union High Representative to Cuba and comes at a crucial time for the negotiations between the EU and Cuba. She will discuss with her Cuban interlocutors developments in the country and perspectives for EU-Cuba cooperation.

“‘Cuba is facing a very interesting period and the European Union is keen to see how we can take the relationship forward with strong momentum. The EU has been closely following the developments in Cuba and its relations with key international players, which create new dynamics in the region and in Cuba itself, and provide new opportunities for all,’ said Federica Mogherini upon announcement of her visit.

“During her visit, Mogherini will have institutional meetings with her counterpart, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, and other Cuban government interlocutors. She will also meet the Archbishop of Havana, Cardinal [Jaime] Ortega, and representatives of civil society.”

Mogherini, 41, was Italy’s foreign minister from February 2014 to October 2014 in the government of Matteo Renzi. Her successor, Paolo Gentiloni, visited Cuba this past week (March 11-13).