Commission in contact with member states on sanctions, says spokesperson

07:49 - 20 April 2023

Current Affairs

The European Commission’s spokesperson, Arianna Podesta, said the EC was in contact with member states regarding the implementation of sanctions, but wouldn't comment further "on specific individual contacts".

Podesta had been asked by the Cyprus News Agency if the Cypriot authorities had briefed the Commission on Cyprus’ next steps regarding the sanctions imposed by the US and UK on individuals and entities – including Cypriots – who they said assisted Russian oligarchs to hide their assets after the war in Ukraine.

“What I can say is that we are in contact with all member states regarding the implementation of sanctions. And we have no comment on specific individual contacts."

Responding to a request to clarify whether the authorities of other member states have contacted the Commission on this, Podesta repeated that the Commission is “of course in contact with all member states on the implementation of sanctions, but we won't comment on individual contacts with them on these matters”.

Asked if the Commission is aware whether these individuals and entities have assisted Russian oligarchs to circumvent EU sanctions as well, the spokesperson said that “you know that EU sanctions are primarily an instrument of EU foreign and security policy”.

“Of course you know very well that we do not comment on possible future listings. In any case, EU sanctions are agreed with member states unanimously,” she stressed.

Deputy head spokesperson Dana Spinant, said that “on sanctions we (the Commission) are tight lipped until we put anything on the table”.

(Source: CNA)

Commission in contact with member states on sanctions, says spokesperson

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