Europe and Cuba to Restore Relations

Refugees stuck between Macedonia and Greece.

European Union leaders have reached an agreement with Turkey on the refugee crisis that is afflicting Europe in Brussels on Monday.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has agreed to take back every Syrian refugee that crossed the border between Turkey and Greece for every Syrian refugee that will be granted legal access. With this agreement, refugees awaiting to go to Europe from Turkey will have an easier channel to be settled.

Humanitarian groups have harshly condemned the agreement saying that sending back refugees is inconsistent with European law.

On Friday, European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini will meet with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parilla to improve relations between Cuba and the Old World.

“Cooperation will improve on different fields,” Mogherini told the CNN, “but there are plenty of sectors where we can increase our common work.”

The European Union and Cuba have suspended diplomatic relations back in 2003, when the Cuban government cracked down on political dissidents on the island. Recent improvements between Cuba and the United States have paved the way for Europe to restore its relationship with the communist-run island.

Thousands of refugees remain stranded on the border between Greece and Macedonia.

Macedonia border police have deployed in strength on the border with Greece, letting only a few dozens Iraqis and Syrians through every day, thus creating a refugee camp right by the fence that separates the two countries.

Refugees have expressed no interest in remaining in Macedonia. Their objective is to quickly pass through and reach Germany and the Scandinavian nations.

More than 12,000 refugees are waiting to cross into Macedonia, sleeping in tents and struggling with cold weather. The Macedonian government has so far been silent on its intentions.