ABSTRACT
Relations between the European Union (EU) and Cuba, though of recent vintage, have been singularly intense. The EU lacks significant capacity to influence US-Cuban relations largely because of the EU’s structural and functional inability to shape a common foreign policy, exert pressure on Washington, and overcome its own permeability and susceptibility to US In a calculation of costs and opportunities of EU action, the new US-Cuba climate should limit or even suppress any fears regarding the US reaction to the EU’s steps in relation to Cuba. Internationally, except for a few interviews with European leaders, the dialogue between Cuba and the EU received very short shrift. From the latter perspective, the relation with the EU can be formalized relatively simply in practical terms. In parallel fashion, any concrete results emerging from Cuba-US negotiations could help to catalyze arrangements with the EU. In fact, more than a few proposals for exploring triangular cooperation have been formulated by Cuba for European countries.
