By James Painter
BBC Latin America analyst
The European Union is expected to announce shortly its decision on whether to lift sanctions on Cuba.
The measures were imposed in 2003 after the imprisonment of more than 70 Cuban dissidents.
They were suspended in 2005, but not completely removed.
Any definitive lifting of the sanctions would be largely symbolic, but would still constitute a diplomatic success for the new government of Raul Castro.
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'Important reforms'
The original sanctions imposed by the European Union five years ago included a limit on high-level government visits and the participation of EU diplomats in cultural events in Cuba.
Most European embassies also invited prominent Cuban dissidents to receptions as a protest against the country's human rights record.
Relations improved in 2005, but the measures were not completely removed.
Since Raul Castro in effect took over from his brother, Fidel, nearly two years ago, Spain in particular has pressed hard for a complete removal of the sanctions in the light of what it sees as important reforms in Cuba.
Other countries like Sweden, and in particular the Czech Republic, believe the changes are mainly cosmetic, especially in the area of human rights.
'Diplomatic success'
In practice, the EU sanctions are largely symbolic. Unlike the US embargo which has been in force since 1962, they do not amount to any restriction on trade or investment.
Moreover, in recent years, and particularly under Raul Castro, the Cuban government has diversified its international relations.
Venezuela, which supplies billions of dollars worth of oil in exchange for Cuban doctors, and China, which buys considerable amounts of Cuba's nickel, are much more important trading partners than Europe.
But if the 27 members of the EU were to agree on some formula to lift the sanctions, then the Cuban government would see it as a diplomatic success.
In particular, they would point to the differences with the US government, which has not made any moves to lift its trade embargo.
(BBC)
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