CRI听力:EU, Cuba to Restart Political Dialogue in June

The European Union and Cuba have restarted discussions about possible diplomatic recognition after a 4-year hiatus.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Parilla in Brussels.

Mogherini, who visited Cuba last month, says they've agreed to hold their first meeting in June.

She says the goal is to try to finalize a collaborative agreement by the end of the year.

"The last meeting of the formal political dialogue took place in 2011, so I'm proud to relaunch this process as I'm convinced that there are many areas in which the European Union and Cuba can have fruitful cooperation in our mutual interests."

Wednesday's discussions in Brussels have also included an agreement on the establishment of a human rights mechanism.

Ties between Cuba and the European bloc became strained when the EU adopted the so-called "common position" in 1996.

That move basically aligned Europe's policy towards Cuba with that of the United States.

Cuba is the only Latin American country with which the European Union does not have any bilateral agreements.

However, member-states within the EU do have their own separate ties with Cuba.