Big diplomacy news out of Brussels, which will hopefully resonate in the U.S.’s diplomatic relations (or lack thereof) with Cuba. The European Union has decided to officially lift any sanctions against the island nation and resume regular diplomatic activities, which deteriorated in 2003 after the “Group of 75″ dissidents were jailed:

“We have decided unanimously to lift the 2003 measures and initiate a phase of dialogue that is not conditioned or limited by any measures,” Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said in a press conference after the meeting.

Cuba has been calling on the EU to completely abolish the sanctions before Havana could engage in a dialogue with the grouping.

Spain wanted the sanctions on Cuba to be lifted officially after Fidel stepped down in February handing over power to his younger brother Raul.

As you might expect, the U.S. isn’t happy with this (at least not for now…let’s see what an Obama administration would say about the issue), and the head of the State Department called the move “will give legitimacy to a dictatorial regime”.

Via / Hindustan Times