HAVANA (AP):

Cuba and the European Union ended a five-year stand-off yesterday by signing an agreement that calls for EU members to send the island €2 million (US$1.3 million) in immediate hurricane recovery aid and up to €30 million (US$38.8 million) more in financing next year.

The agreement signed by Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque and EU Commissioner Louis Michel restarts dialogue and cooperation that stalled in 2003, when the communist government launched a crackdown and sentenced 75 dissidents to long prison terms.

"A reciprocal will exists to deepen a useful, positive and respectful political dialogue," Michel said.

Perez Roque said Cuba welcomed the agreement because it imposed no con-ditions on the communist-run country, while still opening a path for dialogue "without interference in international affairs, and with mutual respect for political independence."

Michel also planned to meet with other Cuban officials and tour areas devastated by hurricanes Ike and Gustav in late August and early September. The hurricanes together caused about US$5 billion damage.

A EU delegation will return to Cuba in November to determine needs and priorities for next year's financing.

Yesterday's agreement was made possible by the EU's June decision to eliminate the last remaining diplomatic sanctions imposed after the crackdown. Twenty of the original 75 prisoners have since been released for health reasons