TNT ignores the current antidote regulations in Austria and the European Union and applies extra-territorial American blockade measures to Cuba.
AUSTRIA, May 12sd, 2016. The Österreich TNT Company, branch in Austria of TNT Express N.V. (The Netherlands), submitted in writing to the Embassy of Cuba in Austria through its customer service office, the definitive suspension of the international mail services, which were usually offered to this diplomatic mission, because the company has been acquired by the American company FedEx Corporation.
The communication adds that as a result of the previous issue and “on the base of the established directives” (by the United States), TNT will not be able to receive more orders from Cuba nor from other countries that are object of sanctions on the part of that country.
The Embassy of Cuba in Austria denounces this fact before the public opinion. once again, it has been demonstrated that the American blockade against Cuba remains effective in all its magnitude and extra-territorial reach.
The application of such measures against Cuba is illegal, both in the territory of Austria and the European Union in general. On 22 November, 1996, The European Council adopted the Regulation (EC) no. 2271/96, “regarding the protection against the effects of the extra-territorial application adopted by a third country and against the actions based on it or derived from it”. By virtue of this Regulation, the Austrian Parliament adopted Law 117/1997, on 22 October, 1997.
It is inadmissible that, in spite of the current antidote laws; of the unanimous rejection from the European Union, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations to the policy of blockade against Cuba, there are European companies which ignore these realities and accept the application of extra-territorial coercive measures that affect countries, legal and natural people.
The Embassy of Cuba adds that the mail services that TNT offered the diplomatic mission, which are now cancelled, were related to consular proceedings. This decision from TNT affects the consular services that this diplomatic mission offers Austrian, Croatian and Slovenian citizens, as well as to the resident Cuban community in these countries. (Cubavsbloqueo/ Embajada de Cuba en Austria)
