The European Union’s relations with non-democratic countries: the case of the Republic of Cuba and the People’s Republic of China. A comparative perspective – 2004 and 2024
The European Union’s relations with non-democratic countries: the case of the Republic of Cuba and the People’s Republic of China. A comparative perspective – 2004 and 2024

Summary/Abstract: The European Union’s external relations are an important issue in the context of the contemporary principles and functioning of the European community. In this article, the authors analyse a specific type of relationship between the European Union and non-democratic countries, i.e. the Republic of Cuba and the People’s Republic of China, based on determinants related to the concepts of democratisation, Europeanisation ad extra and value-based partnerships. The state of relations between these entities in 2004 and 2024 is presented. The differences that determined the European Union’s perception of these countries are highlighted. As part of the comparative analysis, the authors summarise the clear change in the European Commission’s policy shaping relations between these partners based on a cognitive framework and political, economic and normative issues. It was also observed that, apart from the established bilateral partnerships between the EU and China and Cuba, the countries in question have also revitalised relations between themselves. The authors point out that despite the earlier assumption of the importance of values in the context of building partnerships (based on strategic documents), in practical terms, democratic values are still not a determining factor in these relations. Economic issues continue to be the fundamental dimension of building relations.

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