Brussels, 16/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - Realising that shortages of stocks of certain pyrotechnics would jeopardise continuation of European space programmes, the Council of the EU adopted amendments to the sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia following that country's actions in Ukraine. A Council decision was passed on Wednesday 7 October.
When sanctions are imposed on a country, it takes a length of time to ascertain the scale of the consequences they will have, said a source close to the matter. Thus, European authorities discovered that stocks of certain fuels needed for operating Russian launchers, such as Soyuz rockets, used in European programmes were dwindling. While these fuels are produced in Europe, they undergo quality testing in Russia, whose authorities are the only ones authorised to conduct precise testing on their launchers. Once the tests have been completed successfully, the launcher and the fuel are taken to Kourou, Europe's spaceport in French Guiana, from where satellites are launched, the same source told EUROPE. Once this discovery had been made, the member states had to rein in their position to assure the continuation of European space missions.
The amendments relate to Article 4 of Regulation 833/2014 on restrictive measures against Russia, adopted on 31 July 2014, which establishes a list prohibiting the supply, direct or indirect, of technical assistance and financing linked to certain operations. Now, Regulation 2015/1791 of 7 October, which follows on from a decision taken on 1 October (2015/1764) brings in exemptions for three pyrotechnical products: hydrazine in concentrations of 70% or more (provided that the amount does not exceed 800 kg per individual launch or satellite), unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine, and monomethyl hydrazine. In addition, the decision allows full cooperation between competent European authorities and their Russian counterparts, in return for the European Commission's being informed of all authorisations granted.
The restrictive measures thus amended apply from 9 October. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)