European Parliament
President.
Question No 33 by Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez 
(
Subject: Clarification of the Commission's replies concerning Cuba
The Commission replied in writing to two oral questions relating to Cuba – the Havana Biennial
(1)
) and the visit by Patriarch Bartholomeos
(2)
). The answers given are unsatisfactory and contain statements which I find disrespectful. In reply to the first question the Commission states that it was incorrect to say the EU had withdrawn its funding for the Biennial, when this is not what I said. I referred to the assistance that was being provided, without specifying that this was financial assistance. More serious is the claim that it was misleading to say the EU had decided to freeze cultural relations with Cuba. The Commission's answer to the second question, concerning the visit by the Orthodox Patriarch, reiterates that there were no such EU sanctions – letting it be understood that it was Cuba that was the sanctioning power. Moreover, it also talks of the insults made by high representatives of the Cuban Government against European Heads of State on 26 July 2003.
How would the Commission describe the cultural measures established by the European Council in respect of Cuba in response to the events of the past year? Which European Heads of State were insulted on 26 July?
Written answer of 17.12.2003.
Written answer of 10.2.2004.

