Luxembourg, 17/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the EU Council confirmed the common position of the Fifteen concerning Cuba. While acknowledging a certain amount of progress (religious freedom, reduction in the number of political prisoners, non-application of the death sentence, ratification of international instruments for the3394na1.doc protection of human rights), it makes a further appeal to Cuba in view of democratisation. It states in its conclusions that it is "following with interest developments in the Varela project" and that it "encourages the Cuban Government to consider it as a legitimate initiative". It reaffirms its will to deepen the political dialogue with Cuba.