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The European Commisioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel (L), walks with head of East Timorese National Parliament, Fernando 'Lasama' de Araujo (R) prior to their meeting in Dili on November 25, 2008. The EU has provided 65 million euros in humanitarian aid and 168 million euros in development aid to East Timor since it achieved independence from Indonesia in 2002.
Cuba's President Raul Castro (R) talks to EU Aid Commissioner Louis Michel (L) with the help of a translator as Cuba's Vice President Esteban Lazo (2nd R) looks on during a meeting in Havana October 24, 2008. Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque and Michel signed a declaration on Thursday pledging new cooperation in what Michel called "a turning point for EU-Cuban relations." The European Commission, executive body of the 27-nation EU, said in a statement it may invest 20 million to 25 million euros in joint projects. It also said it would give Cuba 2 million euros to aid recovery from recent hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
Cuban President Raul Castro (R) confers with EU Commissioner for AIDS Louis Michel (L) October 24, 2008 in Havana. One day earlier Cuba and the European Union formally restored ties with the signing of a cooperation agreement that put an end to five years of chilly relations. The EU decision to restore ties represents a setback for the United States, which failed to convince eastern European allies in the 27-nation bloc to try to block the move. EU officials have said they will review the human rights situation in Cuba every year. Normalization of European ties with Havana was championed by Spain, which restored its relations with Cuba in 2007. Cuban dissidents have also criticized the European Union's move, arguing that human rights in Cuba have not improved.
In this photo released by Cuba's State Council, Cuba's President Raul Castro, right, talks with European Union Commissioner Louis Michel, left, as top communist leader Esteban Lazo, second right, looks on in Havana, Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. Michel is in Cuba in hopes of restarting talks and cooperation after Europe lifted its last remaining sanctions on the island nation. Second left is an unidentified translator.
EU Aid Commissioner Louis Michel (C) and Havana's city historian Eusebio Leal (R) walk through Old Havana October 23, 2008. The European Union has agreed to remove all sanction against Cuba leading to the resumption of co-operation between the 27-nation EU and Cuba. Cuba and Europe broke off dialogue when the EU imposed diplomatic sanctions in 2003 after the Cuban government arrested 75 dissidents. The sanctions were suspended in 2005 but not formally lifted until June 19.
EU Aid Commissioner Louis Michel (C) and Havana's city historian Eusebio Leal (R) walks through Old Havana October 23, 2008. The European Union has agreed to remove all sanction against Cuba leading to the resumption of co-operation between the 27-nation EU and Cuba. Cuba and Europe broke off dialogue when the EU imposed diplomatic sanctions in 2003 after the Cuban government arrested 75 dissidents. The sanctions were suspended in 2005 but not formally lifted until June 19.
The European Union's Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel (C) and Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque shake hands after signing the re-establishment of the relation between the EU and the Cuban government in Havana on October 23, 2008. Michel arrived in Cuba with the president of the EU Development Commission Josep Borrel (L), to restore the relation which has been interrupted since 2003 when the EU put sanctions to the island nation for the sentence of 75 dissidents and the then president, Fidel Castro, decided to reject any help or dialogue with the European bloc.
The European Union's Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel (L) and Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque shake hands after signing the re-establishment of the relation between the EU and the Cuban government in Havana on October 23, 2008. Michel arrived in Cuba with the president of the EU Development Commission Josep Borrel, to restore the relation which has been interrupted since 2003 when the EU put sanctions to the island nation for the sentence of 75 dissidents and the then president, Fidel Castro, decided to reject any help or dialogue with the European bloc.
The European Union's Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel (L) and Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque sign the re-establishment of the relation between the EU and the Cuban government in Havana on October 23, 2008. Michel arrived in Cuba with the president of the EU Development Commission Josep Borrel, to restore the relation which has been interrupted since 2003 when the EU put sanctions to the island nation for the sentence of 75 dissidents and the then president, Fidel Castro, decided to reject any help or dialogue with the European bloc.
The European Union's Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel (L) and Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque sign the re-establishment of the relation between the EU and the Cuban government in Havana on October 23, 2008. Michel arrived in Cuba with the president of the EU Development Commission Josep Borrel, to restore the relation which has been interrupted since 2003 when the EU put sanctions to the island nation for the sentence of 75 dissidents and the then president, Fidel Castro, decided to reject any help or dialogue with the European bloc.
EU Aid Commissioner Louis Michel (C) and Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque (R) shake hands as Chairman of the Committee on Development of the European Parliament Josep Borrell looks on at Cuba's foreign ministry in Havana October 23, 2008. The European Union has agreed to remove all sanction against Cuba leading to the resumption of co-operation between the 27-nation EU and Cuba.
EU Aid Commissioner Louis Michel (C) looks on as Chairman of the Committee on Development of the European Parliament Josep Borrell (L) shakes hands with Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque at Cuba's foreign ministry in Havana October 23, 2008. The European Union has agreed to remove all sanction against Cuba leading to the resumption of co-operation between the 27-nation EU and Cuba.
The European Union's Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel (R), and Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque (L) hold a meeting in Havana on October 23, 2008. Michel arrived in Cuba with the president of the EU Development Commission Josep Borrel (2-R), to sign the re-establishment of the relationship between EU and the Cuban government, which has been interrupted since 2003 when the EU put sanctions to the island nation for the sentence of 75 dissidents and the then president, Fidel Castro, decided to reject any help or dialogue with the European bloc.
EU Aid Commissioner Louis Michel (L) and Cuba�s Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque sit together as aides exchange signed documents at Cuba's foreign ministry in Havana October 23, 2008. The European Union has agreed to remove all sanction against Cuba leading to the resumption of co-operation between the 27-nation EU and Cuba.
EU Aid Commissioner Louis Michel (L) and Cuba�s Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque exchange signed documents at Cuba's foreign ministry in Havana October 23, 2008. The European Union has agreed to remove all sanction against Cuba leading to the resumption of co-operation between the 27-nation EU and Cuba.
French Immigration Brice Hortefeux (2L), EU development commissioner Louis Michel (2R) and the President of Mali Amadou Toumani Tour�R) inaugurate the centre for migration information and management (CIGEM) on October 6, 2008 in Bamako. The European Union's first African immigration information centre, set up to warn of the risks of illegal immigration, not only advises would-be immigrants but will also help returned immigrants resume life in their home country.
French Immigration Brice Hortefeux (2L), EU development commissioner Louis Michel (2R) and the President of Mali Amadou Toumani Tour�R) inaugurate the centre for migration information and management (CIGEM) on October 6, 2008 in Bamako. The European Union's first African immigration information centre, set up to warn of the risks of illegal immigration, not only advises would-be immigrants but will also help returned immigrants resume life in their home country.