Published on Tuesday, May 22, 2007
PRAGUE, Cuba (AFP): Despite public disagreements over relations with
Cuba and the shape of a new EU treaty, the Czech and Spanish foreign
ministers papered over their differences at a meeting in Prague Monday.
"Our views are a lot closer than might appear at first view," Czech
Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said during a joint news conference
with his Spanish counterpart, Miguel Angel Moratinos.
"We have sometimes different approaches, but we have the same end goals.
We are going to continue our good coordination so that we can succeed in
our common objectives," said Moratinos.
Moratinos said he briefed Schwarzenberg on his April visit to Cuba, when
Madrid and Havana signed an agreement creating a mechanism for political
consultation, including on the sensitive issue of human rights.
That move sparked criticism from Schwarzenberg at the time, who in May
2005 was expelled from Cuba by the communist authorities after arriving
in the country to attend a congress of Cuban political dissidents.
On moves to reshape EU institutions, Moratinos repeated Madrid's desire
that any new agreement between the 27 member states respect the
substance of the draft constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters
in 2005.
Prague's centre-right coalition government says the past text can serve
as a starting point, but wants a much less ambitious and simpler agreement.
EU heads of state face a crucial summit in June, which is expected to
approve the broad lines of institutional reform.
"What is at stake is Europe," Moratinos warned.
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