EU Council takes political decision to impose sanctions on specific individuals for human rights violations in Russia
22 February 2021 News
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva is taking part in the regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council held in Brussels today. The EU's relations with Russia were high on the agenda. Ministers held their first discussion with the new US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken. The situation in a number of hotspots around the world was also discussed: Belarus, Myanmar, Hong Kong, the Sahel, Iran, Ethiopia and Sudan.
High Representative Josep Borrell reported on his recent visit to Moscow, which confirmed the serious differences between the EU and Russia and Russia's unwillingness to co-operate with the EU. The ministers expressed deep concern over the negative trends in Russia's foreign policy approach, as well as in the field of human rights and the situation of civil society in the country, reaffirming their determination to maintain a unified approach to protecting the EU's values and interests.
In connection with the unfounded conviction of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the crackdown on peaceful protesters, a political decision was taken to impose targeted restrictive measures on those responsible for violations under the EU's Global Human Rights Sanctions.
"Sanctions should be targeted at specific people responsible for serious human rights violations, and not such that would hurt ordinary Russian citizens, because this will only increase propaganda against the European Union. The main priority of the EU should remain the fight against misinformation and false news, which create not only division between Member States, but also within our societies", Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said.
The first Bulgarian diplomat also called on the EEAS Strategic Communication Unit to be active continuously, and not only during key events such as the European Parliament elections.
In preparation for the forthcoming strategic debate of European leaders in March 2021, ministers exchanged views on all aspects of relations with Moscow and agreed on the need to develop an EU strategy for relations with Russia by strengthening the unity of the union based on the five leading principles in policy towards Russia and maintaining opportunities for engagement on issues of EU interest.
EU foreign ministers held a videoconference meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken less than a month after him taking office. They unanimously welcomed the determination of the new US administration to return to multilateralism and international partnerships and the concrete actions already taken in this direction.
"We highly appreciate this first discussion with Anthony Blinken shortly after his inauguration as US Secretary of State, which shows the importance of the transatlantic partnership. I am impressed by the statement of President Biden that the United States will lead the world not by the example of its strength, but by the strength of example” - Minister Zaharieva said - Contacts between people are also important for our partnership, and in this sense, we expect to achieve full visa reciprocity between the EU and the United States."
Bulgaria's top diplomat noted the importance of co-operation with the United States in combating climate change and welcomed the renewed US commitment to multilateral cooperation, including reforms by the World Trade Organization and the World Health Organization. Zaharieva placed special emphasis on US support for the COVAX mechanism, which is key to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. She also called for joint EU-US efforts to promote reforms in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership.
In the context of "ongoing issues", ministers, by adopting Council Conclusions, reaffirmed their concern about the military coup in Myanmar and the escalation of repression against protesters.
The ongoing repression of the Belarusian regime against journalists, human rights defenders and trade union leaders has been strongly condemned.
Ministers reaffirmed the key role of the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan on Iran's nuclear program on global and regional security and the non-proliferation regime, expressing deep concern over Tehran's intentions to suspend the application of the Additional Protocol on Safeguards of the International Nuclear Energy Agency.
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