Although the promise of Cuba's 'opening' has brought a rush of high-level US and European visits, change will be slow. Negotiations to restore diplomatic relations with Washington are still mired in rules for embassy personnel, while EU-Cuban talks on a cooperation agreement are advancing, but slowly. Within Cuban society, expectations that US-Cuban rapprochement will lead to domestic detente will exert pressure for gradual political and media liberalisation.
Foreign policy successes have yet to translate into material benefits for the population.
Paris Club talks, after a 14-year hiatus, are the strongest signal yet that Cuba is preparing a return to international finance.
Long-announced monetary reform remains pending, while multiple exchange rates undermine the economy.
Sources close to Cuba's Foreign Ministry suggest that Castro himself will travel to Brussels for the EU-CELAC meeting.
