08/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - Cypriot parliament calls for end to sanctions against Russia. On Thursday 7 July, the Cypriot parliament passed a resolution calling on the government to work within the European Council to bring an end to the sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of its involvement in the Ukraine crisis (EUROPE 11585). “The sanctions against Russia have not, in hindsight, helped resolve the crisis in Ukraine and have, furthermore, negatively affected trade between Cyprus and Russia”, states the resolution that was passed by 33 votes; the 17 parliamentarians of the ruling DISY party who were present abstained. “The sanctions imposed by the EU on Russian nationals, and in particular on the members of the State Duma of the Russian Federation are unacceptable”, the resolution adds. It also calls on the parties involved in the conflict in Ukraine to step up their efforts to find a peaceful solution and for the Minsk Agreements to be implemented. (CG)