EU Seeks Normalizing Ties With Cuba

    BRUSSELS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The European Union stands ready to work with Cuba to improve and deepen cooperation on issues of common interest such as the environment and climate change, EU Commissioner Louis Michel said here on Thursday.

    Speaking on the eve of his two-day visit to Cuba, Michel, the commissioner for EU's development and humanitarian aid affairs, said he looks forward to "positive engagement" with Cuba.

    "This is an important visit for both the EU and Cuba that takes place only few days after the nomination of Raul Castro as head of state," Michel said in a statement.

    The main aim of this trip is "to contribute to the normalization of our relationship by improving the dialogue process between the EU and Cuba," he said.

    "For this to be achieved, it's important that we have an open dialogue that should cover all topics of mutual interest including political, human rights, economic, scientific and cultural fields," the commissioner added.

   Michel also welcomed last week's signing of International Covenants on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and on Civil and Political Rights by the Cuban government.