From Caribbean News Now

HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) — European foreign ministers have again rejected the US embargo against Cuba during a meeting of the foreign affairs council held in Luxembourg, chaired by the head of European diplomacy, Federica Mogherini.

Prensa Latina agency cited a press release in which the ministers ratified the European bloc’s opposition to the extraterritorial application of unilateral coercive measures that are contrary to international law.

The text indicated that the council took note of the extension by the US government until May 1 of the exemption from the application of Chapter III of the Helms-Burton Act of 1996 against European Union (EU) companies.

The EU has repeatedly expressed its rejection of the economic, commercial and financial embargo as a measure that hinders Cuba’s economic development, violates the rules of international trade and financial transactions, and whose extraterritorial scope affects the interests of natural and legal persons in their relations with the island.
In November 2018, delegations from the EU bloc and the Caribbean nation held a dialogue on coercive measures within the framework of the political dialogue and cooperation agreement between the parties.

The meeting addressed issues related to the legal and practical aspects of existing EU legislation to counteract the extraterritorial application of third country legislation and the use of unilateral coercive measures with extraterritorial effect as a political means and economic pressure against states.

The Cuban ministry of foreign affairs has condemned the threat to activate title III of the Helms-Burton Act, considered a hostile act of extreme arrogance and irresponsibility.

The actions of US President Donald Trump increase the conflict between the two countries, reinforce the embargo imposed unilaterally for almost 60 years, and harm the interests of third nations, the ministry said.

For more on this story go to; https://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/2019/04/17/european-ministers-reiterate-rejection-of-us-embargo-against-cuba/