The EU is optimistic about reaching an agreement with Cuba by the end of 2015.

Recent significant progress between Cuba and the West is opening up prospects for cooperation between the two sides.

The EU and Cuba agreed on March 24 to intensify dialogues aimed at improving bilateral relations.

Ms. Mogherini in Cuba (AP Photo)

The European Union's High Representative for Security and Foreign Policy, Federica Mogherini, gave a very positive assessment of her two-day official visit to Cuba and expressed optimism about the prospects for relations between the two sides.

Speaking in Havana after a meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro and other high-ranking officials, Mogherini said that the two sides had discussed potential areas for bilateral cooperation, agreed to accelerate negotiations on the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, and set a goal of signing the framework document for this bilateral relationship by the end of this year.

Ms. Mogherini said: “I believe these measures are outdated in the current situation. The EU wants to lift the embargo, and this is even more necessary now. This not only affects investment but also harms the Cuban people.”

Ms. Mogherini also expressed her desire to accelerate negotiations between the European Union and Cuba, stating that this is a crucial political moment to advance bilateral cooperation.

The EU and Cuba began negotiations last April, aiming to revive their bilateral political agreement. However, the parties have only held three meetings in the past 11 months.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez is expected to visit Belgium on April 22nd. Similar to Mogherini's visit to Havana, the meeting will take place outside of formal negotiations.

The two sides are also expected to meet at the Summit of the Americas on April 10-11 in Panama, which both Cuba and the EU have been invited to attend for the first time.

In addition, Cuban officials will also attend a summit of leaders from the Americas and Europe scheduled for June in Brussels, Belgium.

With so many opportunities for dialogue both within and outside the formal negotiation framework, all parties expressed considerable optimism that an agreement could be reached by the end of 2015.

As Cuba's second-largest trading partner, after Venezuela, with annual trade reaching $3.7 billion, successful negotiations between Cuba and the EU this year would present a significant opportunity to boost bilateral investment cooperation.

According to VOV.VN