RR\1129055EN.docx PE599.562v02-00

EN United in diversity EN

European Parliament 2014-2019

Plenary sitting

A8-0232/2017

22.6.2017

*** RECOMMENDATION

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the

Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union

and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Cuba, of the other

part

(12502/2016 – C8-0517/2016 – 2016/0298(NLE))

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Rapporteur: Elena Valenciano

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PR_NLE-AP_Agreement

Symbols for procedures

* Consultation procedure

*** Consent procedure

***I Ordinary legislative procedure (first reading)

***II Ordinary legislative procedure (second reading)

***III Ordinary legislative procedure (third reading)

(The type of procedure depends on the legal basis proposed by the draft act.)

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CONTENTS

Page

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION ................................. 5

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT .............................................................................................. 6

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT ...................................................... 8

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE ................................... 12

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE ................................................................... 15

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE .................................... 16

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DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Political

Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member

States, of the one part, and the Republic of Cuba, of the other part

(12502/2016 – C8-0517/2016 – 2016/0298(NLE))

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the draft Council decision (12502/2016),

– having regard to the draft Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the

European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Cuba, of

the other part (12504/2016),

– having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with

Articles 207 and 209 and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a), and

Article 218(8), second subparagraph, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European

Union (C8-0517/2016),

– having regard to its non-legislative resolution of ...1 on the draft Council decision,

– having regard to Rule 99(1) and (4) and Rule 108(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the

opinions of the Committee on Development and the Committee on International Trade

(A8-0232/2017),

1. Gives its consent to conclusion of the agreement;

2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the

governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Republic of Cuba.

1 Texts adopted of that date, P8_TA(0000)0000.

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Background

Relations between the European Union and the Republic of Cuba were governed by the EU's

unilateral Common Position 96/697/CFSP of 2 December 1996. Article 4 of the Common

Position provided for the possible negotiation of a cooperation agreement between the EU and

Cuba.

The Council adopted negotiation directives in February 2014 authorising the Commission and

the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to open

negotiations for a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) between the

European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Cuba, of the

other part. Negotiations were launched in April 2014 and concluded on 11 March 2016.

The Common Position 96/697/CFSP was repealed by Council decision (CFSP) 2016/2233 of

6 December 2016.

The PDCA defines general principles and objectives for the relationship between the EU and

Cuba and creates an institutional structure for the management of the agreement. It builds

essentially on three main chapters, on political dialogue, cooperation and sector policy

dialogue as well as trade and trade cooperation.

The Political dialogue chapter provides that the parties will engage in dialogue on issues such

as human rights, small arms and disarmament, migration, drugs, fight against terrorism, and

sustainable development.

The chapter on Cooperation and sector policy dialogue, inter alia, includes areas such as

human rights, governance, justice, civil society, social and economic development,

environment as well as regional cooperation, in each case specifying a detailed list of areas

for cooperation.

The Trade and trade cooperation part deals with general principles of international trade and

covers cooperation on customs, trade facilitation, technical norms and standards, sustainable

trade and investment. The agreement does not include a chapter on trade preferences

The PDCA also establishes an institutional framework composed of a Joint Council and a

Joint Committee and includes a provision on the fulfilment of obligations.

**

Rapporteur’s justification

This Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, which the EU signed with Cuba in

December 2016, is a highly sophisticated, necessary and appropriate instrument which will

provide a framework for the relations that the EU and its Member States already maintain

with the Republic of Cuba.

The actual shape, continuity and scale of these relations already went far beyond the

limitations of our own 1996 ‘Common Position’ and the barriers imposed by the

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extraterritorial legislation with which the United States of America sought for years to

obstruct Cuba’s economic autonomy. There was worldwide consensus on the need to lift these

restrictions, particularly among the Latin American and Caribbean countries with which the

EU maintains strong ties. In recent years the US itself has become part of this trend towards

normalising relations with Cuba.

During this time, as many as 20 EU Member States have signed bilateral agreements with

Cuba. In spite of its self-imposed restrictions, the EU as a whole has become Cuba’s main

customer and main supplier.

The agreement represents a courageous commitment on both sides. As an international legal

instrument, it offers a model for a new-generation agreement which sets out very clear

political dialogue and human rights commitments. The values that the EU wishes to promote

in the world are reflected more strongly here than in other instruments by which our relations

are governed.

The results already achieved through the human rights dialogue since the start of the

negotiations provide a guarantee and a reason for optimism regarding the benefits of this

agreement.

We in the European Union should see this agreement as an expression of Cuba’s preference

for the European Union as a partner. Cuba’s geographical location and geopolitical situation

make it a strategically valuable country. This agreement sends a strong message of political

presence to other global actors who are competing in the Caribbean and across the Latin

American continent.

Through this agreement, the EU is pledging to accompany Cuba in its evolution while fully

respecting its autonomy, sovereignty and independence. Cuba for its part is demonstrating its

interest in having the EU as a reference, within a framework of full mutual respect.

The agreement will make it possible further to develop cooperation and Cuba’s participation

in the EU’s specific programmes.

As regards trade and economic relations in general, the agreement will provide a stronger

framework to match the scale that these relations have already reached.

This is the first bilateral political agreement that the EU and Cuba have signed. Parliament

should be consistent, it should approve the agreement and give this relationship an

opportunity to start to produce the results that we hope to achieve, in accordance with the

rules that we are setting. As always, Parliament’s support should be critical and vigilant,

applying the same demands and the same level of respect that we apply to our own Union and

to other partners who have pledged to share the EU’s values and aspirations.

**

The rapporteur proposes that the Committee on Foreign Affairs recommends consent to this

agreement.

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31.5.2017

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Political

Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of

the one part, and the Republic of Cuba, of the other part

(12502/2016 – C8-0517/2016 – 2016/0298(NLE))

Rapporteur: Frank Engel

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

Negotiations on an EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement were completed

on 11 March 2016. This text represents the most structured engagement so far between the

EU and Cuba and consists of three main chapters: political dialogue, cooperation and sector

policy dialogue, and trade and trade cooperation.

The EU is Cuba’s main export partner and the biggest foreign investor, and accounts for a

third of the foreign visitors. Cuba has been a member of the ACP group since 2000, despite

not being a signatory of the Cotonou Agreement.

EU cooperation with Cuba is covered by the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI).

The Multiannual Indicative Programme for Cuba 2014-2020 allocates EUR 50 million for

cooperation with Cuba in three priority sectors:

– sustainable agriculture and food security: 42%

At present, the food supply on the island is not sufficient to cover the needs of the population,

much less those of the growing inflow of tourists. Tourism being the most relevant

development factor, increasing food production on the island is critical.

– support for a better use of key natural resources for sustainable development: 36%

Investment in renewable energy generation is at stake here, and represents a priority axis of

development both in EU and Cuban strategic plans.

– support for economic and social modernisation: 20%

The selected sectors respond to the national priorities identified in the ‘Cuban guidelines for

economic and social policy’, a mid-term strategy approved in 2011 to promote reforms in the

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country.

Despite being an upper middle-income country, Cuba continues to be eligible for bilateral

development cooperation until 2020 under an ‘exceptional clause’ in the DCI.

The proposed Agreement opens new avenues to support Cuba’s process of economic and

social modernisation, to foster sustainable development, democracy and human rights, as well

as to seek common solutions to global challenges. For these reasons, your rapporteur is of the

view that Parliament should give its consent to the ratification of the Agreement.

******

The Committee on Development calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee

responsible, to recommend that Parliament give its consent to the draft Council decision on

the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement

between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of

Cuba, of the other part.

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PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Title Council Decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the

Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European

Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Cuba,

of the other part

References 12502/2016 – C8-0517/2016 – JOIN(2016)0043 – 2016/0298(NLE)

Committee responsible

AFET

Opinion by

Date announced in plenary

DEVE

15.12.2016

Rapporteur

Date appointed

Frank Engel

6.3.2017

Discussed in committee 25.4.2017

Date adopted 30.5.2017

Result of final vote +:

–:

0:

21

0

0

Members present for the final vote Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea, Ignazio Corrao, Doru-Claudian

Frunzulică, Enrique Guerrero Salom, Maria Heubuch, Teresa Jiménez-

Becerril Barrio, Stelios Kouloglou, Arne Lietz, Linda McAvan, Vincent

Peillon, Lola Sánchez Caldentey, Elly Schlein, Eleni Theocharous,

Paavo Väyrynen, Bogdan Brunon Wenta, Anna Záborská

Substitutes present for the final vote Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, Frank Engel, Ádám Kósa,

Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, Judith Sargentini

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FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

21 +

ALDE Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea, Paavo Väyrynen

ECR Eleni Theocharous

EFDD Ignazio Corrao

GUE/NGL Stelios Kouloglou, Lola Sánchez Caldentey

PPE Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, Frank Engel, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Ádám Kósa, Bogdan

Brunon Wenta, Anna Záborská

S&D Doru-Claudian Frunzulică, Enrique Guerrero Salom, Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, Arne Lietz, Linda McAvan,

Vincent Peillon, Elly Schlein

Verts/ALE Maria Heubuch, Judith Sargentini

0 -

0 0

Key to symbols:

+ : for

- : against

0 : abstention

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31.5.2017

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE

for the Committee on Foreign Affairs

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Political

Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of

the one part, and the Republic of Cuba, of the other part

(12502/2016 – C8-0517/2016 – 2016/0298(NLE))

Rapporteur: Reimer Böge

******

The Committee on International Trade calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the

committee responsible, to recommend that Parliament give its consent to the draft Council

decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation

Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the

Republic of Cuba, of the other part.

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PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Title Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union,

of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the

European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the

Republic of Cuba, of the other

References 12502/2016 – C8-0517/2016 – JOIN(2016)0043 – 2016/0298(NLE)

Committee responsible

AFET

Opinion by

Date announced in plenary

INTA

15.12.2016

Rapporteur

Date appointed

Reimer Böge

9.11.2016

Discussed in committee 23.1.2017 3.5.2017

Date adopted 30.5.2017

Result of final vote +:

–:

0:

32

0

2

Members present for the final vote Tiziana Beghin, David Campbell Bannerman, Daniel Caspary, Santiago

Fisas Ayxelà, Christofer Fjellner, Karoline Graswander-Hainz, Heidi

Hautala, Yannick Jadot, Bernd Lange, David Martin, Emmanuel

Maurel, Anne-Marie Mineur, Sorin Moisă, Franz Obermayr, Artis

Pabriks, Franck Proust, Viviane Reding, Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero

Fernández, Marietje Schaake, Helmut Scholz, Joachim Schuster,

Joachim Starbatty, Adam Szejnfeld, Hannu Takkula

Substitutes present for the final vote Reimer Böge, Dita Charanzová, Edouard Ferrand, Agnes Jongerius,

Sajjad Karim, Seán Kelly, Fernando Ruas, José Ignacio Salafranca

Sánchez-Neyra, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, Jarosław Wałęsa

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FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

32 +

ALDE Dita Charanzová, Hannu Takkula, Marietje Schaake, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells

ECR David Campbell Bannerman, Joachim Starbatty, Sajjad Karim

EFDD Tiziana Beghin

GUE/NGL Anne-Marie Mineur, Helmut Scholz

PPE

Adam Szejnfeld, Artis Pabriks, Christofer Fjellner, Daniel Caspary, Fernando Ruas,

Franck Proust, Jarosław Wałęsa, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Reimer Böge,

Santiago Fisas Ayxelà, Seán Kelly, Viviane Reding

S&D

Agnes Jongerius, Bernd Lange, David Martin, Emmanuel Maurel, Inmaculada

Rodríguez-Piñero Fernández, Joachim Schuster, Karoline Graswander-Hainz, Sorin

Moisă

VERTS/ALE Heidi Hautala, Yannick Jadot

0 -

2 0

GUE/NGL Edouard Ferrand, Franz Obermayr

Key to symbols:

+ : in favour

- : against

0 : abstention

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PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Title Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union,

of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the

European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the

Republic of Cuba, of the other

References 12502/2016 – C8-0517/2016 – JOIN(2016)0043 – 2016/0298(NLE)

Date of consultation / request for consent 12.12.2016

Committee responsible

Date announced in plenary

AFET

15.12.2016

Committees asked for opinions

Date announced in plenary

DEVE

15.12.2016

INTA

15.12.2016

Rapporteurs

Date appointed

Elena

Valenciano

1.2.2017

Discussed in committee 29.5.2017

Date adopted 20.6.2017

Result of final vote +:

–:

0:

57

9

2

Members present for the final vote Lars Adaktusson, Michèle Alliot-Marie, Nikos Androulakis, Francisco

Assis, Petras Auštrevičius, Bas Belder, Mario Borghezio, Victor

Boştinaru, Elmar Brok, James Carver, Lorenzo Cesa, Arnaud Danjean,

Georgios Epitideios, Knut Fleckenstein, Anna Elżbieta Fotyga, Eugen

Freund, Iveta Grigule, Sandra Kalniete, Tunne Kelam, Janusz Korwin-

Mikke, Andrey Kovatchev, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Ryszard Antoni Legutko,

Barbara Lochbihler, Sabine Lösing, Andrejs Mamikins, Ramona Nicole

Mănescu, Alex Mayer, Tamás Meszerics, Francisco José Millán Mon,

Clare Moody, Javier Nart, Demetris Papadakis, Ioan Mircea Paşcu,

Tonino Picula, Kati Piri, Julia Pitera, Cristian Dan Preda, Jozo Radoš,

Sofia Sakorafa, Jordi Solé, Jaromír Štětina, Dubravka Šuica, Charles

Tannock, Miguel Urbán Crespo, Ivo Vajgl, Elena Valenciano, Geoffrey

Van Orden, Anders Primdahl Vistisen

Substitutes present for the final vote Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Reinhard Bütikofer, Luis de Grandes

Pascual, Neena Gill, María Teresa Giménez Barbat, Ana Gomes,

Andrzej Grzyb, Takis Hadjigeorgiou, Marek Jurek, Patricia Lalonde,

Javi López, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Igor Šoltes, Renate

Sommer, Ernest Urtasun, Marie-Christine Vergiat

Substitutes under Rule 200(2) present

for the final vote

Pál Csáky, Dietmar Köster, Costas Mavrides

Date tabled 22.6.2017

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FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

57 +

ALDE Petras Auštrevičius, María Teresa Giménez Barbat, Iveta Grigule, Ilhan Kyuchyuk,

Patricia Lalonde, Javier Nart, Jozo Radoš, Ivo Vajgl

ECR Bas Belder, Anna Elżbieta Fotyga, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Charles Tannock,

Geoffrey Van Orden, Anders Primdahl Vistisen

GUE/NGL Takis Hadjigeorgiou, Sabine Lösing, Sofia Sakorafa, Miguel Urbán Crespo, Marie-

Christine Vergiat

PPE Michèle Alliot-Marie, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Elmar Brok, Lorenzo Cesa, Arnaud

Danjean, Andrzej Grzyb, Sandra Kalniete, Francisco José Millán Mon, Julia Pitera, José

Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Renate Sommer, Luis de Grandes Pascual, Jaromír

Štětina, Dubravka Šuica

S&D Nikos Androulakis, Francisco Assis, Victor Boştinaru, Knut Fleckenstein, Eugen

Freund, Neena Gill, Ana Gomes, Dietmar Köster, Javi López, Andrejs Mamikins,

Costas Mavrides, Alex Mayer, Clare Moody, Demetris Papadakis, Ioan Mircea Paşcu,

Tonino Picula, Kati Piri, Elena Valenciano

Verts/ALE Reinhard Bütikofer, Barbara Lochbihler, Tamás Meszerics, Jordi Solé, Ernest Urtasun,

Igor Šoltes

9 -

ECR Marek Jurek

EFDD James Carver

ENF Mario Borghezio

NI Georgios Epitideios, Janusz Korwin-Mikke

PPE Lars Adaktusson, Pál Csáky, Tunne Kelam, Cristian Dan Preda

2 0

PPE Andrey Kovatchev, Ramona Nicole Mănescu

Key to symbols:

+ : in favour

- : against

0 : abstention