• Dr. Percy Hintzen, Professor of Sociology, Global and Sociocultural Studies Florida International University.
• Dr. Wendy Grenade, Lecturer in Political Science and Deputy Dean (Outreach) Faculty of Social Sciences University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados.
• Dr. Joaquin Roy Jean, Monnet Chair “ad personam” Director, European Union Center of Excellence University of Miami.
• Panel Discussion chaired by Dr. Markus Thiel, Politics & International Relations (FIU)
Dr. Hintzen went first with his topic, “The EU, CARIFORUM, AND CELAC: the new multilateral alliance”. He introduced is topic …show more content…
Roy was last with his topic, “The EU’s frustration over Cuba’s insertion in the ACP development program”. His lecture was an overall movement to show the interaction between the EU and Cuba throughout history. 1995 was when the European Union insists in crafting a cooperation agreement with Cuba. The EU has approved a “position” which links cooperation with reforms in Cuba. However, the EU does not interfere with the regime but rather links full cooperation of aid to reforms in human rights, and justice. Dr. Roy discusses this common position (CP) interpretation by the EU as these commitments are aim-oriented not conditional. It contain offers of dialogue between the two countries. An interesting point Dr. Roy made was the comparison of approach to Cuba from the United States versus Cuba. Sanctions are not really a part of the EU’s poltical culture and the compassion is whereas the US demonized Cuba as part of an “axis of evil”, the EU’s approach is “an access to evil”. Through the 2000’s, there has been a lot of interaction between the EU and Cuba including European diplomats in Havana become isolated, with no access to high level of Cuban government. Regardless of the ups and down, the EU’s approach is more towards a political dialogue to facilitate transition to democracy. He concluded that in 2014, there have talks between the EU and Cuba and the important change is that Cuba has accepted these talks and rounds have