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What the EU has done

· Helfen statt Blockieren editorial team

The EU imposes sanctions itself and at the same time protects its companies against foreign sanctions with effects on third parties. Towards Cuba it combines both with its own stance on human rights. The timeline lists every step with its reference.

  1. Blocking StatuteThe Council adopts Regulation (EC) No 2271/96 against the effects of foreign sanctions laws. The trigger is the US Helms-Burton Act on Cuba. EU firms may not comply with the listed laws; judgments based on them are not recognised1.
  2. Common Position on CubaWith Common Position 96/697/CFSP the Council sets out its Cuba policy. It remains in force for 20 years2.
  3. New framework with CubaThe Council repeals the Common Position and decides to sign the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA). It is signed on 12 December 2016345.
  4. PDCA provisionally appliedAfter the European Parliament’s consent on 5 July 2017, the agreement applies provisionally. Full application requires ratification by all member states5.
  5. Blocking Statute updatedThe Commission adds the renewed US sanctions on Iran to the annex. Rules for authorisations and a guidance note with questions and answers follow678.
  6. Consultation on reformThe Commission opens a public consultation on amending the Blocking Statute, until 4 November 20219. No tabled legislative proposal appears in the sources read for this page.
  7. Bank Melli rulingThe Court of Justice of the EU rules that the compliance ban applies even without an order from a US authority. Courts also examine whether it places a disproportionate burden on a company10.
  8. Banking authority on de-riskingThe European Banking Authority warns of the harmful effects of unwarranted de-risking11.
  9. Humanitarian exemptions on UkraineThe Council exempts EU humanitarian partners from the ban on making funds available in the Ukraine regime12.
  10. Commission guidanceThe Commission publishes a horizontal guidance note on humanitarian aid under EU sanctions13.
  11. Agricultural trade clarifiedThe Commission states that EU sanctions do not target in any way agricultural trade between third countries and Russia14.
  12. Resolution 2664 implementedWith Regulation 2023/331 the EU implements the UN humanitarian exemption of 9 December 20221516. FAQs on Russia and on the Syria earthquake follow in February and May 202317.
  13. Anti-Coercion InstrumentParliament and Council adopt Regulation 2023/2675; it has applied since 27 December 2023 and allows countermeasures against economic pressure from third countries18.
  14. Exception in counter-terrorism frameworkThe Council also introduces a humanitarian exception in the EU counter-terrorism framework, initially for twelve months19.
  15. Explanation of vote at the UNOn behalf of the EU, Hungary states that the EU opposes the extraterritorial application of the US measures and applies the Blocking Statute; at the same time it calls on Cuba to release all political prisoners. All member states vote in favour of the resolution20.
  16. First split in the voteHungary votes against the resolution; Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania abstain. In its explanation, Poland, also speaking for the Baltic states and Czechia, refers to “the selective application of the UN Charter”21.
  17. Parliament resolutionBy 283 votes to 199 with 85 abstentions, the European Parliament calls for the release of all political prisoners, profound reforms and more aid against the humanitarian crisis22; according to CiberCuba also for sanctions against President Díaz-Canel and the suspension of the PDCA23. The Commission has not opened the suspension procedure24.
  18. Blocking Statute and the ICCAfter new US sanctions against the International Criminal Court on 9 October 2026, 58 MEPs call for the Blocking Statute to be applied. The Commission calls it a possible response but first relies on talks25; High Representative Kaja Kallas wants to use the six months until entry into force for that26.
  19. 2026 voteIn the UN vote Czechia, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovenia vote against; Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania abstain27. The EU delivered an explanation of vote; its text was not reachable when accessed28.

Figures marked “according to information given to” are not the cited body’s own measurements but information presented to it.

This page is information, not legal advice. It reports what authorities, courts, governments and organisations decide and say; the views of the side imposing measures and of the side affected stand side by side. “Helfen statt Blockieren” is non-partisan. Please report errors to info@aciel-martinez-poll.com.

Sources

  1. Council of the EU, Regulation (EC) No 2271/96 of 22.11.1996, OJ L 309 of 29.11.1996, S. 1, 22 Nov 1996. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/1996/2271/oj
  2. Council of the EU, Common Position 96/697/GASP of 2.12.1996 on Cuba, OJ L 322 of 12.12.1996, S. 1, 2 Dec 1996. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/compos/1996/697/oj
  3. Council of the EU, Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2233 of 6.12.2016 repealing Common Position 96/697/GASP, OJ L 337 of 13.12.2016, S. 41, 6 Dec 2016. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2016/2233/oj
  4. Council of the EU, Council Decision (EU) 2016/2232 of 6.12.2016 on the signing and provisional application of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba, OJ L 337 of 13.12.2016, S. 1, 6 Dec 2016. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2016/2232/oj
  5. EU Reporter, “EU-Cuba landmark agreement entering into force on 1 November”, 31 Oct 2017. https://www.eureporter.co/frontpage/2017/10/31/eu-cuba-landmark-agreement-entering-into-force-on-1-november/
  6. European Commission, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1100 of 6.6.2018 amending the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 2271/96, OJ L 199 I of 7.8.2018, S. 1, 7 Aug 2018. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2018/1100/oj
  7. European Commission, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1101 (criteria for authorisations under Art. 5(2) of Regulation 2271/96), OJ L 199 I, 7.8.2018, 7 Aug 2018. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2018/1101/oj
  8. European Commission, Commission guidance note, questions and answers on the update of the Blocking Statute, 2018/C 277 I/03, OJ C 277 I, 7.8.2018, 7 Aug 2018. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52018XC0807(01)
  9. European Sanctions (Maya Lester KC, Michael O’Kane), “Public consultation on Blocking Statute reform open”, 16 Sep 2021. https://www.europeansanctions.com/2021/09/public-consultation-on-blocking-statute-reform-open/
  10. Court of Justice of the EU (Grand Chamber), judgment of 21.12.2021, Bank Melli Iran v Telekom Deutschland, C-124/20, ECLI:EU:C:2021:1035, 21 Dec 2021. https://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?num=C-124/20
  11. European Banking Authority (EBA), EBA/Op/2022/01, “EBA alerts on the detrimental impact of unwarranted de-risking and ineffective management of money laundering and terrorist financing risks”, 5 Jan 2022. https://www.eba.europa.eu/publications-and-media/press-releases/eba-alerts-detrimental-impact-unwarranted-de-risking-and
  12. University of Almería, European Documentation Centre (after Council press release of 13.4.2022), “EU introduces exceptions to restrictive measures to facilitate humanitarian activities in Ukraine”, 18 Apr 2022. https://www.cde.ual.es/en/eu-introduces-exceptions-to-restrictive-measures-to-facilitate-humanitarian-activities-in-ukraine
  13. European Commission, “Commission Guidance Note on the provision of humanitarian aid in compliance with EU restrictive measures (sanctions)”, 30 Jun 2022. https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-06/220630-humanitarian-aid-guidance-note_en.pdf
  14. European Commission, IP/22/4548, “Implementation of EU sanctions against Russia: Commission adopts proposal for “maintenance and alignment” package”, 15 Jul 2022. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/files/document/print/en/ip_22_4548/IP_22_4548_EN.pdf
  15. Council of the EU, Regulation (EU) 2023/331 of 14.2.2023 amending certain regulations concerning restrictive measures in order to insert provisions on a humanitarian exemption, OJ L 47 of 15.2.2023, S. 1, 14 Feb 2023. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/331/oj
  16. UN Security Council, press release SC/15134 (9214. meeting), Report on the adoption of Resolution 2664 (2022), 9 Dec 2022. https://press.un.org/en/node/311942
  17. European Commission (financial services), “Humanitarian assistance in environments subject to EU sanctions”, 3 Nov 2026. Overview of guidance, incl. FAQs on Russia (7 Feb 2023) and on the Syria earthquake (16 May 2023). https://finance.ec.europa.eu/eu-and-world/sanctions-restrictive-measures/humanitarian-assistance-environments-subject-eu-sanctions_en
  18. European Parliament and Council, Regulation (EU) 2023/2675 of 22.11.2023 on the protection of the Union and its Member States from economic coercion by third countries, OJ L, 2023/2675, 7.12.2023; in force since 27.12.2023, 22 Nov 2023. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2675/oj
  19. Council of the EU, press release, as reproduced by ieu-monitoring, “Humanitarian action: EU introduces further exception to sanctions”, 19 Feb 2024. https://ieu-monitoring.com/editorial/humanitarian-action-eu-introduces-further-exception-to-sanctions/428749/
  20. European External Action Service, Delegation to the UN in New York, “EU Explanation of Vote: UN General Assembly: Embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”, 30 Oct 2024. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-new-york/eu-explanation-vote-%E2%80%93-un-general-assembly-embargo-imposed-united-states-america-against-cuba_en
  21. UN Geneva, “Amid shifting alliances, General Assembly demands end to US embargo on Cuba”, 29 Oct 2025. https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2025/10/112275/amid-shifting-alliances-general-assembly-demands-end-us-embargo-cuba
  22. European Parliament, resolution B10-0285/2026, voting data from HowTheyVote.eu, “Political repression and humanitarian situation in Cuba”, 18 Jun 2026. https://howtheyvote.eu/votes/194562
  23. CiberCuba, “European Parliament votes in favor of sanctioning Díaz-Canel and suspending agreement with Cuba”, 18 Jun 2026. https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2026-06-18-u1-e129488-s27061-nid332660-parlamento-europeo-pide-sanciones-contra-diaz-canel
  24. Brussels Signal, “Petitioners press European Commission over refusal to suspend Cuba agreement”, 15 Jul 2026. https://brusselssignal.eu/2026/07/petitioners-press-european-commission-over-refusal-to-suspend-cuba-agreement/
  25. Agence Europe, “US sanctions against ICC: European Commission favours dialogue despite calls from 58 MEPs to activate blocking statute”, 14 Oct 2026. https://agenceurope.eu/en/bulletin/article/13960/15/us-sanctions-against-icc-european-commission-favours-dialogue-despite-calls-from-58-meps-to-activate-blocking-statute
  26. TIME (Callum Sutherland), “How Europe Is Defying Trump by Rallying Around the ICC”, 29 Oct 2026. https://time.com/article/2026/10/29/how-europe-is-defying-trump-by-rallying-around-the-icc/
  27. CiberCuba, “The resolution against the embargo loses momentum at the UN: 35 fewer votes and more than double in opposition”, 28 Oct 2026. https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2026-10-28-u1-e74-s27061-nid344063-resolucion-contra-embargo-pierde-fuerza-onu-35-votos
  28. European External Action Service, Delegation to the UN in New York, “EU Explanation of Vote: UN General Assembly draft resolution A/81/L.5 on the embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”, October 2026. Page not reachable when accessed; content not checked, only its existence. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-new-york/eu-explanation-vote-un-general-assembly-draft-resolution-a81l5-embargo-imposed-united-states-america_en

All online sources accessed on 3 November 2026.

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