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Additional sanctions against Syria violate sovereignty of that country

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on July 25 that unilateral sanctions of the EU against Syria run counter the previous agreements
Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS
Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, July 28 (Itar-Tass) —— Implementation of additional sanctions against Syria violates the country’s sovereignty, the principle of non-interference in home affairs, spokesperson of Russia’s Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich said on Saturday following the decision of the EU Council on additional sanction measures against Syria.

“We would like to confirm our principle and steady position of unacceptable unilateral sanctions against Syria,” he said. “We consider their implementation as actions, violating sovereignty of the country, the principle of non-interferenece in home affairs, as well as the prerogative of the UN Security Council in supporting international peace and security.”

“We are not intending to participate in an activities in pursuance of decisions of the European Union aimed against Syria, and we shall not consider applications or agree to examine ships carrying the Russian flag, or use of any limiting measures to them,” he said.

The European Union agreed the 17th packet of sanctions against Syria, including more strict embargo on supplies of weaponry, a diplomatic source said on the sidelines of the EU Council’s meeting on the level of foreign ministers of the organisation’s 27 countries. “Complete understanding on the sanctions is achieved,” the source said.

The new packet of sanctions, among others, includes a procedure of examining ships and aircrafts going to Syria, which should “prevent supplies of weaponry to the regime of Bashar al-Assad.” However, the source did not say anything about weaponry supplies to the opposition. Besides, the Syrian black list will include 26 new names and three organisations and authorities, including the defence and interior ministries.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on July 25 that unilateral sanctions of the EU against Syria run counter the previous agreements, reached within the U.N. “The EU latest sanctions against Syria run counter the previous agreements, including within the United Nations. The European Union and the United States have not held consultations with Russia by imposing such sanctions,” Lavrov said. “We come against unilateral sanctions. We seek to discuss any issues jointly,” Lavrov noted. On that same day, a statement of Russia’s foreign ministry stressed that “the measures undertaken by the EU can be considered as announcing of sea and air blockade of Syria.”