MOSCOW, September 14. /TASS/. Russian State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin has thanked Brazil for its independent and sovereign position toward anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union.
"We highly appreciate the position of your country toward unlawful sanctions of US and European Union against Russia. We understand what pressure you were subjected to and are still subjected to but, I reiterate, you continue to take an independent, sovereign and principled position on this issue," Naryshkin said at a meeting with Brazilian Vice President Michel Temer.
Talking about Russian-Brazilian relations, Naryshkin noted that "they were always characterized by a special level of trust and openness." "I am confident that intensive cooperation along the parliamentarian line will contribute to developing relations between our countries in practically all spheres," he noted.
The State Dume speaker also stressed that Russia sees in the Latin American region "the new emerging center of multi-polar world which is playing an increasingly important positive role in international relations." "We highly value the role that your country plays as a driving force of integration in this large and developing region," he concluded.
Earlier on Monday, the European Union has extended for six months the sanctions against 149 Russian individuals and 37 organizations, the European Council said in an official statement distributed in Brussels. The sanctions are extended until 15 March 2016.
The "blacklist" includes Russian officials, politicians, businessmen and law enforcers, as well as practically all officials of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics.
All of them are banned from entering the European Union. Their assets, should any be identified in the European banks, are liable to a freeze. Also, on the same list there are 37 entities, including all known military and political agencies of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics. The European businesses are not allowed to have any contacts with them.