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Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the decision of President of Cuba Raul Castro to free 52 political prisoners. However, we note that according to the reports the freed political prisoners will have to leave for Spain. Besides, according to the data of the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, over 100 political prisoners remain on the island. Cuba still has not ratified two UN conventions on human rights, and representatives from international NGOs, for example, from the International Committee of the Red Cross, have been repeatedly refused entry into prisons.

Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely following the situation in the country and is looking forward to follow-up steps that the Cuban Government will take towards democracy. We also participate in the discussion of the European Union on further relations with Cuba and we will decide on Lithuania’s position taking into account further changes of the situation in Cuba.

Lithuania shares the common EU position on Cuba from 1996. The objective of the common position on Cuba is to encourage a process of transition to pluralist democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as a sustainable development and improvement in the living standards of the Cuban people. The common position considers that full cooperation with Cuba will depend upon improvements in human rights and political freedom.