HUNGARY: COUNTRY REVIEW ON RELATIONS WITH CUBA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000837 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CCA JARAHN HILLSMAN AND EUR/CE JAMIE MOOORE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2019 TAGS: PREL ETRD ETTC HU CU SUBJECT: HUNGARY: COUNTRY REVIEW ON RELATIONS WITH CUBA REF: SECSTATE 115416 Classified By: PolOff Ryan Leong, DoS Reason(s): 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) PolOff discussed ref with GoH MFA America's Department Director Norbert Konkoly on November 18 and with Cuba desk officer Istvan Sandor on 20 November. Sandor provided the following responses to ref questions: Promote the advancement of democracy and human rights: Hungary has been active in promoting the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba, especially within various EU fora. Hungarian diplomacy supported the efforts of the "group of like-minded countries" in line with the principles of the Common Position of the EU on Cuba. The Budapest-based International Center for Democratic Transition has a focus on Cuba as well. Public statements: In recent months, no specific governmental actions have been undertaken in order to condemn human rights abuses in Cuba. The Hungarian Embassy in Havana has participated in several actions in support of civil society, such as visiting the family members of imprisoned civil rights activist Darsy Ferrer and well-known blogger Yoani Sanchez, as well as keeping regular contacts with human rights activists. Diplomatic visits: In the last six months, one Hungarian business delegation made a short visit to Cuba headed by Lajos Olah, State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy. The purpose was to map possible fields of cooperation for companies in the energy sector. Investments: At present the volume of Hungarian investment in Cuba is negligible. Bilateral trade agreements: In 2006, an Agreement of Economic Cooperation was signed between Hungary and Cuba. However, the creation of the Joint Economic Committee has never taken place due to reluctance on the Cuban side for political reasons. Exchange programs: Sandor was not aware of any official exchange programs between Hungary and Cuba and, as far as he knows, no Hungarian students have scholarships to study in Cuba at present. He also has no evidence of any Cuban-paid medical travel for Hungarians or Cuban doctors working in Hungary. LEVINE