Just days before President Obama visits Cuba, the European Union has normalised relations <br />with the Communist-run island.<br /><br /> Hosted by President Raul Castro in Havana, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini oversaw the signing of the deal on Friday.<br /><br /> It brings Cuba further into the international fold, paving the way for full economic cooperation with the 28-member bloc.<br /><br /> A human rights dialogue will also be maintained – all a far cry from past tension over Cuba’s jailing of dissidents.<br /><br /> Three hours meeting between FedericaMog and President Raul Castro after the announcement of the #EU/Cuba agreement pic.twitter.com/GPuWK2kWg0— Sabrina Bellosi (sabellosi) 11 mars 2016<br /><br /> The pact adds to Cuba’s rapidly thawing relations with the West, marked by its restoration of diplomatic ties with the United States after five decades of Cold War hostility.<br /><br /> President Obama’s visit to Cuba this month will be the first by a US president in nearly 90 years.<br /><br /> But even as he prepares to unveil meas
