Only one country in Latin America lacks diplomatic relations with the European Union: Cuba. Both entities lack any bilateral relations due to the Cuba's human rights record. However, recent talks between the two governments have made the possibility of formal relations in the future a reality.

At the beginning of April the EU announced the beginning of talks between Brussels and Havana. According to the Latin American Herald Tribune, the first round of negotiations took place from April 29 to April 30 in Cuba's capital city to reach a political and cooperation accord.

Deputy Foreign Minister Aberlardo Moreno represented Cuba while the head of the Americas office of the European External Action Service, Christian Leffer, acted in behalf of the EU. According to a EU source, this first round focused on "establishing the methods and a road map for the negotiations."

The process all began in Feb. 10, according to the Herald Tribune, when EU foreign ministers approved a mandate to begin negotiations with the Communist island. Negotiations will occur every two months, though the two cities will maintain informal contact in between negotiations.

Following the first meeting, Leffer seemed optimistic. The two sides agreed to discussing governance and political dialogue; cooperation and sector policies; and economics and commerce, reports the Havana Times.

"We have addressed the general structure of the agreement and the main elements to be included," said Leffer in a press conference. "We have a common vision of the main and essential purpose of the agreement."

Leffer acknowledges the differences in "interpretation of fundamental rights" and the "Common Position" was not discussed in this round of talks. The "Common Position" refers to the EU's stance on Cuba, which has been in place since 1996 and ties Cuba's human rights record to formal relations with the EU.

Cuba's recent economic reforms enacted by President Raul Castro represent new possibilities, according to Leffer. Though the EU does not have formal relations with the island nation, almost 28 of its member states do, including France, which continued negotiations earlier this year.