Brussels, 18/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 18 December, the Council adopted new sanctions, by written procedure, hitting out at investments, services and trade with Crimea and Sevastopol “to reinforce the EU's policy of not recognising their illegal annexation by Russia”.
The EU foreign affairs ministers had reaffirmed their commitment on 17 November “to fully implement the policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, including through further action within the context of this policy” (see EUROPE 11198). The legal texts will be published in the Official Journal on Friday 19 December and the measures will be applicable as from the following day.
From 20 December, investment in Crimea or Sevastopol will be outlawed, and Europeans and EU-based companies will no longer be able to buy real estate or entities in Crimea, finance Crimean companies or supply related services. In addition, EU operators will no longer be permitted to offer tourism services in Crimea or Sevastopol. Except in case of emergency, European cruise ships will no longer be able to call at ports in the Crimean peninsula. Existing cruise contracts may be still be honoured until 20 March 2015. This applies to all ships owned or controlled by a European or flying the flag of a member state.
The export of certain goods and technology to Crimean companies or for use in Crimea has also been prohibited. These concern the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors or the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources. Technical assistance, brokering, construction or engineering services related to infrastructure in the same sectors is also forbidden. (CG)