Trump's Threats to Cuba May 'Provoke Closer Relations' Between EU, Havana

© REUTERS / Francois LenoirCuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez shakes hands with Slovakian Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak next to European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini after signing a EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement in Brussels, Belgium December 12, 2016
Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez shakes hands with Slovakian Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak next to European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini after signing a EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement in Brussels, Belgium December 12, 2016 - Sputnik International
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Threats of US president-elect Donald Trump to disrupt relations with Cuba may positively influence relations between Havana and the European Union, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Alfonso Dastis said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier on Monday, Heads of EU Foreign Ministries signed the first in EU history agreement with Cuba on political dialogue and cooperation. Trump who takes office on January 20 previously said he would break relations with Cuba if the country’s authorities did not take measures to improve life conditions of citizens as well as bilateral relations.

“Relations between the European Union and Cuba have always been important despite what is happening in the United States. If what Mr. Trump said becomes reality it only provokes closer relations between the European Union and Cuba,” Dastis told journalists.

According to Dastis, the agreement is significant for both parties and touches political, economic and social aspects.

“This is an important day for the European Union and Cuba. We are glad this step was made and hope that member states ratify it as soon as possible. Requirements in the field of human rights stay the same. This agreement is prolific in political, economic, social sense,” Dastis added.

Cuban and US flags are seen outside the private restaurant La Moneda Cubana in Havana on March 17, 2016 - Sputnik International
Mogherini: Trump Presidency 'Will Not Affect in Any Way' Cuba-EU Relations
Dastis referred to Spain as an EU leader in relations with Cuba, which promotes strengthening EU positions in the country.

Negotiations upon the EU-Cuba agreement lasted more than two years.

In December 2014, outgoing US President Barack Obama announced that the United States would normalize relations with Cuba after more than 50 years of non-engagement and hostilities.

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