article_snippet: European Union's hopes to strike a deal to restore relations with Cuba by the end of 2015 after cutting ties with Cuba back in 1996.
article_snippet: European Union's froze relations with the country  19 years ago until European Union's reformed areas such as human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy.
article_snippet: European Union's hopes to a deal to restore relations with Cuba and European Union's president Raul Castro (pictured) by the end of 2015 after cutting ties with Cuba back in 1996 .
article_snippet: Relations between Cuba and the EU are still strained but Relations between the countries have improved drastically since Raul Castro stepped down as leader of Cuba and Barack Obama
highlights_snippet: EU froze relations with Cuba due to human rights and democracy issues .
  
highlights_snippet: EU now wants to restore links and lift diplomatic sanctions on Cuba .
  