MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Test period for EU-Cuban diplomatic relations.

The European Union decided this week to temporarily lift all diplomatic sanctions imposed on Cuba since June 2003 and establish a “constructive” dialogue with Havana authorities, announced Luxemburg's Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Asselborn.

The suspension which is due to be reviewed next July follows the recent release of several of the dissidents who were jailed and condemned in a massive crackdown ordered March 2003 by president Fidel Castro.

However Mr. Asselborn whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU, also called for the "urgent" and "unconditional" release of all dissidents.

"We highlighted the need to support a process leading to democratic pluralism, respect for human rights and basic freedoms", underlined Mr. Asselborn.

A statement approved by the EU Foreign Affairs ministers indicated the willingness to resume "a constructive dialogue with Cuban authorities aiming at tangible results in the political, economic, human rights and cooperation sphere".

But the statement also anticipated the EU would develop "more intense relations with the peaceful political opposition and broader layers of civil society in Cuba".

In March 2003 Cuban authorities arrested 75 dissidents, most of them were condemned to long prison sentences and three were summarily executed found guilty of hijacking a ferry.

Following the crackdown EU banned high level government visits and participations in cultural events in Cuba and started inviting dissidents to embassy parties, leading to further retaliations from the Castro administration.

But over the past months Cuba released several dissidents and this month announced it had restored diplomatic ties with EU diplomats on the island.

Since taking office Spanish Socialist president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has played a crucial role in promoting a review of the EU policy towards Cuba.