Cuba and the European Union hold consultations on disarmament

Cuba and the European Union hold consultations on disarmament.

• In matters of disarmament, the European Union and Cuba have broad areas of convergence.

The second edition of the dialogue on “Disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction” and “Illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons and other conventional weapons” was held, in virtual dialogue, between Cuba and the European Union.

The meeting, which takes place in the context of the application of the Agreement on Political Dialogue and Cooperation (ADPC) between our country, the regional bloc and its member states, allowed to verify that in disarmament matters, the European Union and Cuba have extensive areas of convergence.

The delegations chaired by Ambassador Rodolfo Reyes Rodríguez, General Director of Multilateral Affairs and International Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, and Ambassador Marjolijn van Deelen, Special envoy of the European Union for disarmament and non-proliferation, highlighted the importance of moving towards general and complete disarmament, as a way to safeguard peace, international security and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.

Criteria on disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction were exchanged by both delegations. The Cuban side highlighted nuclear disarmament as the highest priority in the field of disarmament, and the relevance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which Cuba was the fifth State to ratify.

It also reaffirmed the right of the peoples to peace and, in that sense, defended the full application of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, which was signed by the heads of State and Government of the region. at the II CELAC Summit, held in Havana, Cuba, in 2014.

The experts shared opinions and experiences on confronting the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and other conventional weapons, reaffirming the will of both parties to contribute to the work carried out by the United Nations in these areas. The Cuban side claimed the legitimate right of all States to acquire and possess small arms and light weapons and conventional weapons in order to meet their legitimate needs for national security and defense. The threat to international security posed by emerging lethal autonomous weapons systems was addressed.

The effects generated by the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the Government of the United States of America against Cuba in international cooperation within the framework of thes Conventions on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and Biological Weapons were also discussed.

Both parties ratified the willingness to discuss aspects related to disarmament and the non-proliferation of armaments on the basis of full respect for sovereign equality, independence, legality and non-interference in the internal affairs of the parties, even when they exist. different positions regarding some of the issues addressed.

As a prelude to the political segment, the meeting by videoconference between representatives of Cuban and European civil society, respectively, took place on October 13.

(Cubaminrex)