Contents tagged with EU
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Europe Will Not Consider Lifting Sanctions Until Russia Fully Complies With Minsk Agreements
The issue of lifting the sanctions against Russia will be not considered by the European Union until Russia has fully complied with the Minsk Agreements. The Head of Unit for the Eastern Partnership of the Foreign Service of the European Union, Dirk Schuebel, made this statement in the European Parliament.
The European diplomat recalled that the EU extended economic sanctions for six months, until July 31st. He clearly stated that the sanctions will be extended until the Minsk Agreements are …
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Construction of the South Stream Pipeline Postponed
The construction of the South Stream Pipeline remains suspended, as reported by Bulgarian National Radio based on Russian sources. Earlier the Standard, a Bulgarian newspaper, stated that the construction of the South Stream Pipeline may resume in the next few weeks. They reported that their sources stated that the delay is due to the deterioration of Russian-Turkish relations and the refusal of the Turkish Stream project which was discussed as an alternative to the South Stream.
On Monday, a …
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Juncker: Dutch vote on Ukraine could lead to crisis
A negative result on the referendum in the Netherlands regarding the Association Agreement with Ukraine could trigger a continental crisis, stated Jean Claude Juncker, President for the European Commission, in an interview with NRC Handelsblad on Saturday, January 9th.
“A ‘no’ answer in the Dutch non-binding vote may spark a continental crisis," he noted. "Let's not change the referendum into a vote about Europe," Juncker emphasized. "I sincerely hope that the Dutch won't vote no for reasons …
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EU will consider implementing visa free regime with Ukraine in the spring
The EU Foreign Ministers will consider opening a visa-free regime for Ukrainians in March or June. Olena Zerkal, the Ukrainian Minister for the European Foreign Affairs Council told TV Channel 5, that the process will depend on how quickly the necessary reforms can be implemented.
"It depends on how quickly we will be able to convince the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council that we have fulfilled all the requirements and are continuing to improve legislation,” she said.
Ukraine has …
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No delay in the introduction of EU-Ukraine free trade zone
Despite the opposition of Moscow, an agreement on a free trade zone between the EU and Ukraine will begin effective January 1st. The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, ended the delays that were hindering the Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. The EU President stated this during a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, December 16th.
“A comprehensive Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU will become enforced as of January 1 …
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Poroshenko: More evidence that Russia violated Minsk Agreements
During his trip to Brussels, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said there is mounting evidence that Russia has violated the Minsk Agreements.
"Regarding the discussion between members of the EU about extending the sanctions against Russia, I brought even more evidence of Russia's failure to comply with the Minsk Agreements; the supply of arms, and the sending of troops to the territory of Ukrainian”, Poroshenko said.
Poroshenko is in the midst of his two day trip to the Belgian capital. …
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Belarus Foreign Minister discusses cooperation with EU and NATO
As reported by Belarusian news agency Belta.by, the country's Foreign Minister Uladzimer Makey visited Brussels on December 13-14 to discuss cooperation with EU and NATO officials.
Mr. Makey's talks with NATO Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow, EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini are seen as another sign of warming relations between Minsk and the West.
In late October, the EU …
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More EU Sanctions for Russia?
An automatic extension of EU sanctions against Russia has not yet happened, and Italy is insisting that EU governments engage in meaningful political discussion to consider their effectiveness over the Kremlin’s policies.
A discussion of the effectiveness of the sanctions, which are set to expire December 31st, could help EU member states decide if the current sanctions should be extended, weakened, or removed altogether. As EU Ministers meet in Brussels in the coming days, they are expected …