Martin going to Cuba with ‘an open mind’

MINISTER for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said he is going to Cuba with “an open mind” and insists he will raise issues of human rights when he meets senior ministers of Raul Castro’s administration in Havana today.

During the historic visit — the first by an Irish minister — Mr Martin will also explore economic co-operation and how Irish businesses might benefit from a loosening of private enterprise restrictions in the communist country.

The European Union lifted its trade sanctions against Cuba last June and many EU countries, including Ireland, are keen to help Cuba reintegrate into the world economy.