Contents tagged with EU
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European Council formally lifts sanctions against Belarus
The European Council formally lifted sanctions against Belarus on February 25th, citing improvements in the country’s human rights situation.
In particular, asset freezes and travel bans were lifted against 170 individuals, including President Alexander Lukashenko, as well as three Belarusian companies.
EU Foreign Ministers made the decision earlier this month after Lukashenko released several political prisoners in August of 2015. The appropriate legislation was approved on February 25th. …
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The EU is not satisfied with Ukraine's progress in fulfilling obligations for visa-free regime
The EU is dissatisfied with Ukraine’s fulfillment of all legal obligations concerning the adoption of visa-free regime in 2016, according to a Facebook post by Sergey Leshchenko, member of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada, after a meeting with the diplomats of the EU agencies in Brussels.
“More precisely, Ukraine has fulfilled three of the five requirements for adoption. The EU considered the amendments to three acts made last week but the EU did not consider a declaration law, according to …
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Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada calls on foreign governments to continue pressuring Russia
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted an appeal to the parliaments of foreign countries with regard to Russia and the threats of pro-Russian separatists to execute prisoners held in the Donbas region. This was stated in two resolutions, which were approved by 236 out of 239 deputies on the 18th of February.
The Ukrainian parliament has called on foreign countries to “use all available mechanisms at governmental, parliament and non-governmental levels. They should also give a clear signal …
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European Commission Makes Plans to Reduce Dependence on Russian Gas
The European Commission has introduced a new version of the proposal to create an Energy Union designed to reduce European dependence on Russian gas, as reported in a press release from the European governing body.
The proposal calls for the provision of several standards to ensure the security of the energy supply. In particular, it is proposed that the principles of solidarity are imposed, if necessary, to provide an emergency energy supply. This would involve the improved coordination of …
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Dutch company receives grant to print anti-EU-Ukraine AA ad campaign on toilet paper
A private company in the Netherlands, Raspoetin BV, has received a €50,000 grant from Dutch authorities to produce toilet paper with calls to vote against the referendum of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
The company is one of 72 organizations and individuals to whom the Commission for the Referendum has provided grants from a total fund of €2 million. An amount of €47,973 has been allocated for the "manufacture, transportation and distribution of the toilet paper, which is printed with …
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EC wants access to Gazprom's contracts with European companies
In an effort to enhance cooperation on the energy market, the European Commission (EC) is seeking to study the contracts between Russia and European companies with regard to gas supplies. In the future, contracts longer than one year should be automatically disclosed to the EC if they are critical for ensuring gas supply to the European Union (EU).
This legislative initiative was proposed by officials in Brussels on the 16th of February. The European Energy Commissioner, Miguel Arias …
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EU lifts most sanctions against Belarus
The European Union (EU) has finally lifted the sanctions against 170 citizens of Belarus, as well as three Belarusian companies. The decision was adopted by the Foreign Ministers of 28 countries at a scheduled meeting of the EU Council. This was reported by the Brussels correspondent of Radio Liberty, Rikard Jozwiak, via Twitter.
"The Foreign Ministers of the EU have decided to exclude 170 people and three Belarusian companies from the sanctions list. The embargo on arms supplies still …
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Jaresko: Ukraine may receive 600 million Euros from the EU
The Finance Minister of Ukraine, Natalie Jaresko, has met with the Head of the EU delegation in Ukraine, Jan Tombinski, to discuss conditions for Ukraine to obtain €600 million of financial support. This was reported by Jaresko herself.
“On Friday, I met with the Head of the EU delegation in Ukraine, Jan Tombinski. We discussed the necessary steps to allow Ukraine to receive €600 million as the second tranche under the third program of financial support of Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) of …
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Europe Plans to Close its Market to Russian Metal Imports
The European Commission plans to introduce anti-dumping duties on cold-rolled flat metal products from China and Russia, as reported by Reuters on January 28th, citing sources familiar with the plans of the commission.
Officially, the introduction of the new policy will be announced on February 14th, and will be finalized on August 12th, provided the anti-dumping investigation confirms the underpricing accusations, according to the website of the European Commission. Usually, anti-dumping …
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Europe Will Not Consider Lifting Sanctions Until Russia Fully Complies With Minsk Agreements
The issue of lifting the sanctions against Russia will be not considered by the European Union until Russia has fully complied with the Minsk Agreements. The Head of Unit for the Eastern Partnership of the Foreign Service of the European Union, Dirk Schuebel, made this statement in the European Parliament.
The European diplomat recalled that the EU extended economic sanctions for six months, until July 31st. He clearly stated that the sanctions will be extended until the Minsk Agreements are …