EU FOREIGN MINISTERS have decided to impose sanctions on more Russians.
In a meeting in Brussels they agreed to expand the criteria for listing people and entities against whom sanctions can be imposed.
The move is in response to continuing instability in Eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea.
Speaking after the EU Foreign Affairs Council today – Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, said:
“Sanctions can encourage all sides to come to the negotiating table and reach a peaceful solution to their differences.
“Today we also made it very clear that we are willing to consider further measures if the situation does not improve.”
MH17
Ministers also discussed the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over Eastern Ukraine last week.
Minister Flanagan said, “I joined with my European colleagues in expressing our deepest sympathies to those who have lost family and loved ones on flight MH17.
“We are calling for a full, thorough and independent international investigation to ensure those directly and indirectly responsible are held to account and brought to justice.
All sides in the conflict must now work together to ensure the hundreds of families bereaved can get the answers they need, and that the remains of the victims of the crash can be recovered and repatriated without delay.
“This tragic incident highlights the urgent need to bring the conflict in Eastern Ukraine to an end.”
Gaza
The meeting of Foreign Ministers also discussed the situation in Gaza and the Middle East. Flanagan said:
“We condemned both the rockets attacks into Israel and the very high level of civilian casualties in Gaza, and have stressed again the need for any military action to be proportionate.
We called on the parties to resume meaningful negotiations with the aim of achieving a comprehensive peace agreement based on a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the 1967 borders.
“We have also discussed the humanitarian aspects of the crisis in Gaza and underlined the need to provide access for humanitarian assistance.”
Yesterday Minister Flanagan announced funding of €500,000 for the United Nations’ emergency appeal for families affected by the devastating conflict in Gaza.
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