HAVANA, Cuba, Jan 31 (ACN) The General Director of the European Commission's International and Development Cooperation, Stefano Manservisi ratified on Wednesday in Havana the European Union's commitment in advancing with renewable energy sources in Cuba.

The high-ranking official told the press that he has discussed the current situation of the country in the sector with government and business authorities in which the EU has destined 18 million Euros for a new program in face of the use of renewable energies.

Manservisi who is in Cuba accompanied by a broad delegation, highlighted that the exchanges also included the analysis of the Government plans to revert the current dependence of fossil fuels and produce 24 percent of electricity by the year 2030 from renewable resources.

He pointed out that they also evaluated the possibilities of attracting investments aimed at assuring the creation of capacities and plants for the production of energy through solar, wind and sugar cane biomass resources.

We will work together to look for effective projects in the field, said the official.

Manservisi referred to the importance of doing so, for the first time, under the support of the Political and Cooperation Dialog Agreement between Cuba and the EU, valid since November 1st, 2017 and with provisional character until it is ratified by the parliament of the 28 member nations.

The directive announced that within the institutional framework, the 1 st Joint Cuba-EU Council will be held February 27th which will lead to dialog and the identification of other bilateral cooperation areas which in addition to renewable energies both sides are currently focusing in agriculture and culture.

Manservisi referred in the need to encourage investments in Cuba currently affected by the US economic, commercial and financial blockade against the Caribbean island that are "contrary to European interests and an obstacle for the country's development".

The European Union is Cuba's first trading and financial partner in addition to foreign investment in the tourist industry and over half of the island's visitors come from that regional block.

Manservisi arrived to Cuba four weeks after the visit of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The members of the European Commission, representatives of the European Development Bank and the members states of the EU were also part of the delegation.