EU, Cuba Restore Ties

Officials from the European Union and Cuba have re-established relations, ending five years of diplomatic tension.

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque and European development commissioner Louis Michel signed a cooperation agreement Thursday in Havana.

The talks follow the EU decision in June to lift sanctions against Cuba. Since Raul Castro took over the presidency from his brother Fidel Castro earlier this year, the EU has worked to encourage democratic reforms on the island.

The bloc imposed sanctions in 2003 as punishment for Cuba's imprisonment of more than 70 dissidents. After the sanctions, Cuba refused to accept any European development aid.

While on his official visit, the EU development commissioner is expected to tour hurricane-damaged areas of the island.