th Cuba, by setting the release of all political prisoners as a precondition for any review of the EU common position. 
Pafilis (GUE/NGL ),
   . – The statements by the Commission that the EU is well disposed to apply a new policy against Cuba have to do with better, more efficient management of its economic interests and trade relations with Latin America. They do not constitute a change of policy. Together with the USA, they are endeavouring to overthrow socialism on the island of the revolution. That is why they have tolerated for so many years the disgraceful embargo by the USA and have not denounced the new measures which it has imposed on Cuba.
That is why, on the pretext of supposed violations of human rights, they took unacceptable measures during the Greek Presidency. They have nothing to say in the face of the despicable statements by Mrs Palacio.
We express our solidarity with the government and people of Cuba and their revolution, we demand an end to the embargo, for the new measures by the USA to be denounced, for imperialist interference in Cuba's internal affairs and for support for mercenaries who call themselves the opposition and political detainees to stop.
We support the normalisation of relations with Cuba and the lifting of the measures taken by the ΕU. We support Cuba's request to ratify the Cotonou Agreement.
The defence of Cuba is the people's affair. It is the duty of every progressive person to support the ideals of independence, freedom and socialism, which are the response to imperialist barbarity. 
Queiró (PPE-DE ),
   . I voted in favour of the proposal for a joint resolution on the situation in Cuba. I am appalled by the human rights violations that are continuously perpetrated in Cuba and that we hear about on a daily basis.
The expulsion of three Members of Parliament from EU Member States and of two NGO representatives by the Cuban authorities is unacceptable. Cuba’s political future must be based exclusively on the will of its citizens. Furthermore, all political pris