Brussels/Havana - After a five-year cold spell, the European Union and Cuba have started warming up relations again, with the pledge of a 25-million-euro 
(32-million-dollar) EU contribution from its fund for environment, technology, trade, culture and catastrophic protections.

EU Commissioner Louis Michel made the announcement as part of a declaration signed Thursday in Havana.

"This is a turning point in relations between Cuba and the European Union," Michel was quoted as saying. "I am very happy that we have committed to future cooperation in this joint declaration."

After the signing with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, the EU representative said the EU wanted to resume dialogue with Cuba without tabus.

A first gesture was the European aid for Cuba after the hurricanes that devastated the Caribbean island in September.

The EU has made 2 million euros available to help the victims of Gustav and Ike. Michel planned to visit the hard-hit area of Pinar del Rio on FRiday.

In 2003, the EU put relations with Cuba on ice over the arrest of dozens of Cuban opposition activists and cut off all contact to former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

After Castro's brother, Raul, took over as leader from the ailing leader of the communist island earlier this year, the EU signalled it was ready to resume contact. (dpa)