Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1864
2008-12-10 16:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM:COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION
how-toVZCZCXRO2947 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHBS #1864 3451624 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 101624Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8335 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001864
SIPDIS
STATE PASS WHA/CCA DAVID MCFARLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2009
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM:COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION
OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT
REF: SECSTATE 126578
Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Robert Kiene
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001864
SIPDIS
STATE PASS WHA/CCA DAVID MCFARLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2009
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM:COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION
OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT
REF: SECSTATE 126578
Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Robert Kiene
1. (C) Belgium maintains diplomatic relations with Cuba
through its Embassy in Havana and the Cuban Embassy in
Brussels. FM De Gucht has not considered Cuba a priority
during his ministry. No high level visits have taken place
since Louis Michel was Foreign Minister from 1999-2003.
Belgium has respected and followed the EU position of
maintaining measures against Cuba that ban such high level
visits since they were adopted in 2003. Human rights and
democracy are important to Belgium worldwide, including in
its relationship with Cuba.
2. (C) Cuba is not one of Belgium's twenty-four priority
countries for foreign assistance. However, Belgian does
contribute to basic development projects in Cuba indirectly
through organizations such as the UNDP and UN Habitat. There
was a slight increase in the amount of aid provided to these
organizations after the two recent hurricanes in Cuba, but no
aid was given directly.
3. (C) Cuba is not a major destination for Belgian foreign
investment. The only investor of note is the Belgian -
Brazilian brewing conglomerate InBev which has taken an
interest in a Cuban brewing concern. Exports to Cuba totaled
approximately EUR 40 million and imports from Cuba approach
EUR 4 million in 2007. Around three thousand Belgian
tourists visit Cuba annually.
FOX
.
SIPDIS
STATE PASS WHA/CCA DAVID MCFARLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2009
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM:COUNTRY BY COUNTRY REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION
OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT
REF: SECSTATE 126578
Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Robert Kiene
1. (C) Belgium maintains diplomatic relations with Cuba
through its Embassy in Havana and the Cuban Embassy in
Brussels. FM De Gucht has not considered Cuba a priority
during his ministry. No high level visits have taken place
since Louis Michel was Foreign Minister from 1999-2003.
Belgium has respected and followed the EU position of
maintaining measures against Cuba that ban such high level
visits since they were adopted in 2003. Human rights and
democracy are important to Belgium worldwide, including in
its relationship with Cuba.
2. (C) Cuba is not one of Belgium's twenty-four priority
countries for foreign assistance. However, Belgian does
contribute to basic development projects in Cuba indirectly
through organizations such as the UNDP and UN Habitat. There
was a slight increase in the amount of aid provided to these
organizations after the two recent hurricanes in Cuba, but no
aid was given directly.
3. (C) Cuba is not a major destination for Belgian foreign
investment. The only investor of note is the Belgian -
Brazilian brewing conglomerate InBev which has taken an
interest in a Cuban brewing concern. Exports to Cuba totaled
approximately EUR 40 million and imports from Cuba approach
EUR 4 million in 2007. Around three thousand Belgian
tourists visit Cuba annually.
FOX
.