EU says U.S. policy change helps its own talks with Cuba

Cuba's President Raul Castro waves to the crowd during a ceremony in Havana February 24, 2015. REUTERS/Enrique De La Osa

HAVANA (Reuters) - The sudden U.S. engagement with Cuba has helped the European Union's own bilateral talks on improving relations with the Communist-led island, a top European diplomat said on Thursday at the conclusion of two days of negotiations in Havana.

When the United States and Cuba announced on Dec. 17 they would restore diplomatic relations, the rapprochement between longtime adversaries overshadowed the EU's ongoing attempt to rewrite a political agreement with Cuba.