The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed his “deep concern” on Friday 17 July about the growing use or threat of use of sanctions by the United States against European companies and interests.
In addition to the latest promises by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to impose sanctions on the partners in the Nord Stream 2 gas project, Borrell also cited Iran, Cuba, the International Criminal Court and Turk Stream.
“As a matter of principle the European Union opposes the use of sanctions by third countries on European companies carrying out legitimate business”, the High Representative stressed in a statement, adding that the Union considered the extraterritorial application of sanctions “contrary to international law”. He considered that European policies should be determined in Europe and not by third countries.
And while he considered it useful to coordinate targeted sanctions with partners when common foreign and security policy goals were shared, Mr Borrell stressed that “where policy differences exist, the European Union is always open to dialogue. But this cannot take place against the threat of sanctions” he warned. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)