Cuba urges EU to lift sanctions before talks
The Cuban government on Friday urged the European Union (EU) to lift the sanctions it imposed on the island country in 2003, adding this is a precondition to starting a new round of negotiations to improve relations.

The EU on Monday extended an invitation to a Cuban delegation to visit Brussels to discuss ways to ease the tension in bilateral relations.

Cuban Foreign Ministry on Friday rejected the EU's invitation, insisting dialogue with Cuba will only be possible if the 27-member bloc lifts the sanctions against the country, adding that talks must be held between sovereigns and equals, without conditions or pending threats.

"If the European Union wants some kind of dialogue with Cuba, it should definitively eliminate the sanctions," the ministry said. "We do not recognize the moral authority of the European Union to judge or advise Cuba."

"The European Union must rectify the mistakes it has made with Cuba. All steps in the right direction will be welcomed adequately. But there is no rush as we have all the time in the world," the ministry said.