08/05/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 7 May, the co-presidents of the Greens/EFA Group of the European Parliament, Ska Keller of Germany and Philippe Lamberts of Belgium, denounced Russia's decision to declare the Lithuanian national, Bronis Ropè, a persona non grata for five years. In a press release they state: “We are deeply concerned over the fact that without appropriate justification, members of the European Parliament could be refused entrance to the territory of the Russian Federation. (...) We ask the president of the European Parliament to raise this matter with the relevant Russian authorities and inquire about the reasoning that lies behind the decision on sanctions towards Bronis Ropè”. In a letter to President Tajani, they say it is not the first time this has happened and that, at the time, “strict measures had been taken” on access to Parliament for Russian officials or cooperation. (CG)