The European Union hopes to strike a deal to restore relations with Cuba by the end of 2015 after cutting ties with the country back in 1996 . It froze relations with the country 19 years ago until it reformed areas such as human rights , fundamental freedoms and democracy . Now the two sides have agreed to intensify the pace of talks which began in 2014 aimed at improving bilateral relations , the EU 's foreign policy chief has said . Reconnect : The European Union hopes to a deal to restore relations with Cuba and its president Raul Castro ( pictured ) by the end of 2015 after cutting ties with the country back in 1996 . Negotiations : EU 's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini ( left ) held talks with Cuba 's president Raul Castro and high-ranking officials ( pictured ) 'Slow progress ' : Ms Mogherini said the EU wants to finalise the framework for an agreement between the two bodies by the end of 2015 . Federica Mogherini said the pace of progress was 'slow ' but it was gaining 'political momentum ' after meeting with Cuban president Raul Castro and other high-ranking officials in Havana . She said : 'We decided today to speed up the rhythm of our negotiations , hopefully to manage to finalise the framework of our dialogue and agreement by the end of this year . The negotiations they began last April were seen as part of an improvement in relations since the 28-nation bloc lifted diplomatic sanctions on Cuba in 2008 . But only three meetings took place in the next 11 months , prompting the Europeans to quicken the pace which Cuban officials agreed to . Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez will now visit . Mogherini in Brussels on April 22 and like the EU chief 's trip to . Havana , the meeting will fall outside of formal negotiations . Between now and then they will also see each other at the . Summit of the Americas set for April 10-11 in Panama , to which . both Cuba and the EU are invited for the first time . Fixed : Cuba has recently improved relation with its old enemy the United States and Raul Castro ( right ) famously shook hands with US president Barack Obama ( left ) at Nelson Mandela 's memorial service . Cuba has also begun to engage in talks with the . United States after the former enemies announced they would restore diplomatic relations in December . Relations between the countries are still strained but they have improved drastically since Fidel Castro stepped down as leader of Cuba and Barack Obama became president of the United States . After assuming office , Obama said he was open to scrapping the trade embargo if Cuba underwent political change and in 2009 , he eased some economic sanctions on the country and eased travel restrictions too . Cuba 's president Raul Castro reciprocated Obama 's policies and in July 2012 he said his government was willing to hold talks with the United States to 'discuss anything ' . They two leaders famously shook hands at former South African president Nelson Mandela 's state memorial service . The United States and Cuba quickly arranged high-level . meetings in Havana and Washington , while EU-Cuba talks were . postponed twice . Though not as severe as the open conflict between the United . States and Cuba , Europe 's relations with the Caribbean island . have also been strained through the years .
European Union 's froze relations with Cuba due to human rights and democracy issues . It now wants to restore links and lift diplomatic sanctions on the country . EU foreign policy chief wants an agreement by year 's end . Cuba recently improved relations with its old 'enemy ' the United States . US president Barack Obama eased economic sanctions on Cuba in 2009 .