(VOVworld) - Cuba and the European Union (EU) have inked a historic agreement to normalize ties.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini (R) welcomes Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla in Brussels, December 12, 2016. (Photo: AFP)

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini signed the agreement on political “dialogue and cooperation” on Monday. Negotiations to normalize ties between the EU and Cuba started in 2014 and were accelerated after the US and Cuba reopened their embassies in 2015. The deal needs to be ratified by the European Parliament and each of the 28 member countries.