You will be aware from our discussions at the EU-U.S. summit in Washington in June and from your meetings during the recent G7 in Lyons of the deep and widespread concern in Europe over the potential application of the Helms Burton legislation to European companies. As you know, the EU and the United States share the same common desire to promote democracy, respect for human rights and market economics in Cuba. The European Council meeting in Florence in June has regretted that political circumstances in Cuba have not allowed progress to be made. However, the European Council also expressed its deep concern over the extraterritorial effects of the “Cuban Liberty and Solidarity (Libertad) Act” and believes that such action taken against partners and allies does nothing to further these objectives in Cuba.