EU postpones decision on Cuba sanctions
Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:34pm BST
By Ingrid Melander

LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers postponed a
decision on whether to lift sanctions on Cuba on Monday, leaving it to a
summit of the 27-nation bloc later in the week.

Foreign Minister of Spain Miguel Angel Moratinos said Germany and other
countries asked for more time to decide on the sensitive move, which
would put the EU at odds with Washington's calls for a release of
political prisoners.

The EU measures were imposed after a crackdown on dissent in 2003 and
include a freeze on visits by high-level officials. However unlike the
1962 U.S. embargo, they do not prevent trade and investment.

The sanctions were formally suspended in 2005 but abolition would be
seen as encouragement by the EU for a more reforms by Cuban President
Raul Castro, who took over after the February 24 retirement of his
brother Fidel.