It is a practice that the European Union has long denounced as illegal, yet decided to enforce it. what is he talking about?
Last week, 27 member states of the European Union gave their consent to Eighth package of penalties against Russia for its attack on Ukraine. The actions are in effect, and when they were announced, all eyes turned to the content: who was punishedif a new economic sector entered, and the exclusion of the import of Russian nuclear materials for civilian use continued, and other uncertainties.
Few have looked at the figure at the time, which represented a revolution in the European penal systems. For the first time, it is adding the possibility of extraterritorial sanctions, a practice the United States has been implementing for decades and is being added by the European Union Always denounce illegal.
The ambassadors gave their approval to the new package of sanctions, and community sources understood, that change come stay And that it could be used in the future with other sanctions against other countries. For the first time in the history of the European Union Sanctions may be imposed on persons or companies from third countriesfrom outside the European Union, which helps European individuals or companies to Evasion of sanctions against Russia.
It is about closing a waterway through which Moscow passes I managed to avoid the impact of some penalties. For example, if a Panamanian company acts as a bridge for a Greek shipping company to load Russian oil from January and sell it to third countries, not only will the Greek shipping company be legally targeted, but the Panamanian company can be punished.
some examples
Diplomatic sources give other examples. If a Turkish company imports European goods that are prohibited under sanctions, sell them to Russia (such as aircraft parts) For re-export to Moscow As an intermediary for a European company, the Turkish company can be sanctioned by the European Union.
Or vice versa, for example, if an Algerian company imports Russian goods that are prohibited in the European Union under sanctions to automatically re-export them to Europe, and thus acts as a bridge for a European company, may be punished.
The European Union will not go as far as the United States but very close to him. The only thing it will not do at the moment is to impose sanctions on companies or individuals from third countries for having business relations with Russia if those relations are It does not affect the EU at all Even if it is on Russian goods subject to sanctions.
For example: European Union An Argentine company will not be punished To import sanctioned Russian goods into Europe if they are not goods destined for re-export to Europe. Yes if it is important for re-export to Europe. If it gets this far, it will in fact force the Argentine company to choose whether it has relations with Russia or with Europe.
Sanctions against companies or individuals from third countries can range from Freeze your assets In European territory until Prohibition of doing business With companies or individuals from the 27 member states of the European Union, both on European soil and in their own countries. Its managers can see how they are forbidden to set foot in Europe and to confiscate the assets they own on European soil.
And this past week, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, provided: “We will be able to draw up lists of individuals who do not comply with our sanctions. If they buy goods in the European Union and take them to third countries and then take them to Russia They will violate the sanctions and will be included in penalties.
The procedures do not only look at potential third-country companies or individuals who tend to help European or Russian companies evade sanctions. Also to try to prevent Russian citizens or companies from using fake companies In third countries to violate European sanctions.
Brussels, special
AP
