impose the so-called blocking statute banning any e.u. firm from complying with foreign sanctions. put of work as the european commission we have the duty to protect european companies so we now need to act and this is why we're launching the process of activating the blocking statute from one thousand nine hundred six we will do that tomorrow morning at ten thirty start off with just what is the blocking statute well it's the strongest weapon in the e.u.'s legislative arsenal when it comes to tackling sanctions placed upon businesses and entities from the european union the law itself goes back to one thousand nine hundred six it's never been acted but the closest it ever came into operation was back in ninety six when the u.s. was considering placing sanctions on european businesses importing things and doing trade with cuba what we are going to see is that on ten thirty on friday morning a really written version of this law specifically for the current situation regarding the...