Brussels, 19/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 19 June, the Council of the European Union extended - until 23 June 2106 - the EU's restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia.
This decision comes two days after the agreement between the member states to extend the economic restrictive measures against Russia until 31 January 2016 (see EUROPE 11337).
The sanctions in connection with Crimea have been in place since 25 June 2014 and include bans on importing products originating in Crimea or Sevastopol into the EU, and bans on investing in Crimea or Sevastopol. Europeans and EU-based companies cannot buy property or entities in Crimea, finance Crimean companies or provide related services.
Tourism is also concerned - particularly European cruise ships which still cannot moor in the peninsula's ports, except in an emergency. In addition, there are still bans on the export of certain goods and technology to Crimean companies, or for use in Crimea in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors, as well as bans on the export of goods and technology linked to the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources. A ban will also continue on providing technical assistance, brokering, construction or engineering services linked to infrastructure in these sectors.
The legal acts concerning the extension of these measures should be published in the Official Journal of the EU on Saturday 20 June. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)