EU to lift sanctions on Cuba

From CNN's Robin Oakley

BRUSSELS, Belgium (CNN) - Members of the European Union decided Thursday to lift sanctions on Cuba, a spokeswoman for EU Secretary-General Javier Solana told CNN.

Christina Gallach said the decision, made over dinner during the first day of a planned two-day summit here, will be formally confirmed on Monday during an EU council meeting.

The announcement brought muted approval from Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque. "It's a step in the right direction," he told CNN. But he said the Cubans would likely have an official reaction early next week.