MOSCOW, August 13. /TASS/. The European Union, driven by the pride and self-importance characteristic of today's European elites, declares that its decisions take precedence over international law, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Vesti.

He said Brussels had chosen "a very dangerous path" by claiming the unlawful right to label vessels it finds objectionable as part of a "shadow fleet."

"With the pride and inflated sense of self-importance so characteristic of all today's European elites in power, they declare that their decisions take precedence over international law," the Russian foreign minister said.