Havana, September 3 (RHC)-- The first Joint Committee between Cuba and the European Union (EU) met on Tuesday to review the implementation of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), as a preamble to the second Joint Council to be held on September 9, also in the Cuban capital.

The delegations of both parties exchanged views on the status of the Agreement by the EU Member States and on the development of political dialogues and cooperation.

They also referred to the establishment of sectoral policy talks and the importance of increasing trade and investment.

They also advocated the need to counteract the application of the Helms-Burton Act and its extraterritorial effects, which also impact on European natural and legal persons.

The Joint Committee served to finalize the details of the next Joint Council, which will be attended by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, Federica Mogherini, who will head the delegation of the Community bloc.

The Cuban side was headed by Emilio Lozada García, Director General of Bilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The European representation was chaired by Hugo Sobral, deputy director for the Americas at the European External Action Service (EEAS).