The European Union's top diplomat is in Havana on an official visit to Cuba. Her goal is to strengthen political and economic ties. This comes as the United States pulls back from engagement with Cuba. CGTN's Michael Voss reports.

This is the third official visit that Federica Mogherini has made to Cuba since becoming the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs. It's an indication of the importance both sides attach to improving relations.

BRUNO RODRIGUEZ CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER "We are very pleased to start the year with your delegations here, it's a promising sign for Cuba-EU relations."

In December 2016, the European Union signed a joint political and economic cooperation agreement with Cuba dropping all previous EU sanctions. This followed the renewed diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. But under President Donald Trump, the U.S. has started to reverse its engagement and re-tighten the trade embargo. In an address at the University of Havana, Mogherini said the US trade embargo against Cuba was not the solution, calling it obsolete and illegal.

FEDERICA MOGHERINI EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF "Regardless of the changes in policy in Washington, the message I am bringing here is that the friendship and relationship with the EU is here to stay. It's solid, it's stable and it's reliable."

In terms of trade the combined exports of the 28 nation European block reached around 2.4 billion dollars in 2016, making it the largest exporter to Cuba. It is also the largest source of foreign investment.

MICHAEL VOSS HAVANA "Europe is not alone in looking to strengthen its political and trade links with Cuba. China is now the island's largest single trading partner, while Russia is also making a concerted effort to re-build its influence."

On a walking tour of old Havana, Federica Mogherini visited a former colonial palace restored with EU funds which now houses a permanent exhibition of historical European links to Cuba. She then went on to a youth club which is also partly financed from Europe. The new EU-Cuba Cooperation agreement now provides a legal framework for discussing everything from trade and development to human rights and political issues. Michael Voss, CGTN, Havana.