BRUSSELS, November 9. /TASS/. The European Parliament has urged EU countries not to confiscate Russians' personal belongings and cars as it "discredits the goal and instrument of sanctions."

"[The European Parliament] calls on the [European] Commission to review its interpretation of sanctions leading to the seizure and confiscation of items and vehicles for personal use only; stresses that such overcompliance discredits the goal and instrument of sanctions," European lawmakers said in a resolution calling for tougher sanctions against Russia and also recognizing that European companies are circumventing restrictive measures against Moscow.

The European Commission's September 8 regulation prohibits the import from Russia to the EU of goods listed in Annex XXI of EU Regulation No 833/2014, regardless of the purpose of their use and the duration of their stay on the territory of the EU, including vehicles with a total number of seats of less than 10. The European Commission emphasized that it did not matter whether the use of the vehicles is private or commercial. The list includes a wide range of items, from cell phones and audio and video recording devices to suitcases, portables, clothing, toothpaste, shampoo and other toiletries.