BRUSSELS, May 19 (Reuter) - Cuba has accepted the fisheries deal struck between the European Union and Canada, the European Commission said on Friday.

Reporting on a meeting between Emma Bonino, the Commissioner responsible for humanitarian aid and fisheries, and Cuban President Fidel Castro in Havana the Commission said "she was confident Cuba would show a greater understanding of the EU's position in NAFO, notably when it comes to the talks in June, aimed at multilateralising the EU's recent accord with Canada."

Bonino said the EU intended to continue aid to Cuba, to which it donated some 14 million Ecus last year, much of it to help the island overcome problems maintaining its health system. Bonino said the EU was watching Cuba's economic reforms closely. "She said that she supported them, but believed they should be accelerated," the Commission said in a statement. @@@