Brussels, 17/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Union is expected officially to adopt sanctions on Thursday 18 December in connection with its non-recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea. From 20 December, therefore, the export of goods and technology used for the prospection, production and extraction of oil, gas and mineral resources, including offshore platforms, in Crimea will be forbidden. Investment will also be forbidden, as will tourism services. The written procedure will be completed at 12.00 on Thursday and the legal acts will be published in the Official Journal on 19 December.
Mogherini stresses implementation of reforms. In Kiev, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini stressed the importance of implementing the reforms and making them “real”. She reiterated that unity and determination were needed to set the reforms in place. While the process is Ukrainian, Mogherini stated that the EU was able to help, including financially. “Your agenda is ambitious. We know the difficulty of an ambitious agenda. You can count on us to support you”, she said. “Staying united and staying focused on the reform agenda is the way to leave this terrible year behind”, she added.
Mogherini also reiterated the EU's support for the Minsk process. Questioned about the possible signs from Russia, she said that there “could be a few elements that could make one believe that there could be more resolve from Russia and Putin to resolve the conflict”. She recalled that similar impressions had already been given in the past, and hoped that the expressions of resolve from the Russians would be transformed into action. (CG)