The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary welcomes that according to the agreement between the Cuban Roman Catholic Church and the Cuban Government the last two members of the 75 Cuban opposition activists, who had been arrested and sentenced to long prison term in 2003, have regained their freedom. We were very pleased to learn that on the 12th of March Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet also could return to his home, whom Viktor Orbán took under his personal patronage in 2007, and recently as Prime Minister of Hungary nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers particularly important that Cuban authorities no longer require political prisoners to leave the country as a prerequisite for their release and those who wish could stay in their homeland.

Hungary deems the unconditional and early release of all political prisoners in Cuba necessary. We also consider it an absolute necessity that changes be introduced in the Cuban legal system which prevent anyone from being taken into custody, arrested or sentenced for their political conviction in the future.

It is in the interest of Hungary to see substantial changes in the Cuban human rights situation and the commencement of social and economic reforms, which make the improvement of EU-Cuba relations, as well as the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation possible. In such a spirit we are ready to share our experiences with the Cuban Government should this be required.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)