The EU is to begin political dialogue for a co-operation agreement with Cuba, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has announced."I am confident these negotiations will help consolidate our engagement with Cuba. This is not a policy change from the past. Just as we want to support reform and modernisation in Cuba, we have consistently raised human rights concerns which will remain at the core of this relationship," she said in a statement.The talks are expected to begin next month. The EU since 1996 has limited relations with Cuba.