Strasbourg, 19/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament welcomed on Thursday the European Commission's speedy grant, via ECHO, of assistance for Honduras, Nicaragua and Cuba, which were struck by Hurricane Michelle. In a resolution adopted during its urgent debates, the EP noted with regard to Cuba that this is the worst disaster in 50 years, but that the authorities were able to limit its impact through preventive measures and the correct functioning of the emergency plan. Parliament nevertheless regretted that, because of the absence of a cooperation agreement with this country, the EU can provide only humanitarian aid. Parliament also urged the United States agree to sell Cuba supplies and medicines to deal with the disaster, in spite of the blockade imposed by Washington, and (amendment by the PPE-DE) welcomed the American government's gesture of offering humanitarian aid to Cuba.