Strasbourg, 01/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 1 July, Coreper (the committee of permanent representatives from the member states to the EU) decided to take its time over Ukraine and any possible new sanctions. After the European Council conclusions calling for progress on Ukraine under the threat of further sanctions, the ambassadors have analysed the “mixed” situation and decided that it “lacked clarity”, according to a source.
Due, amongst other reasons, to the talks under way between the presidents of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, Russia,Vladimir Putin, France, François Hollande, and Germany, Angela Merkel, the ambassadors “have not yet taken any decision” on these conclusions, a European source told EUROPE. Nevertheless, the preparation with a view to type 2 sanctions will be “stepped up”. According to French news agency AFP, the broadening of sanctions would be “qualitative and quantitative”. The criteria for the sanctions could be broadened. However, there is no question of type 3 sanctions - economic sanctions. A working group will meet on 3 July and the ambassadors will meet again on 9 July, but they could meet beforehand if something serious happens, said the source.
The European Council on 27 June called for an agreement on the verification mechanism, under the observation of the OSCE, as regards the ceasefire and effective border control; the opening of in-depth negotiations on the implementation of Poroshenko's peace plan; the release of hostages - including the OSCE observers; and the return of the three border posts (Izvarino, Dolzhanskiy, and Krasnopartizansk) to the control of the Ukrainian authorities - under the threat of sanctions. (CG)