Cuba and European Union restore ties

HAVANA, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The European Union and Cuba have restored ties and have said the EU will send millions of dollars in aid to assist the Caribbean nation.

EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel and Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque signed an agreement in Havana to re-establish ties after a five-year suspension of relations between the union and the communist island, Granma newspaper reported.

Much of the aid will be used to help in reconstruction efforts following two devastating hurricanes that hit Cuba in recent months.