Cypriot Finance Minister Harris Georgiades said in his comments to Sputnik on Thursday that he hoped that the EU sanctions imposed on Russia as well as Moscow's retaliatory measures in the form of food embargo would be abandoned, but argued, at the same time, that it would happen only when political environment allowed
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 28th February, 2019) Cypriot Finance Minister Harris Georgiades said in his comments to Sputnik on Thursday that he hoped that the EU sanctions imposed on Russia as well as Moscow's retaliatory measures in the form of food embargo would be abandoned, but argued, at the same time, that it would happen only when political environment allowed.In December, the Council of the European Union extended economic sanctions targeting Russia, which the bloc introduced in connection with the Ukrainian crisis, until July 31, 2019.
"I hope that political developments will take a direction which will enable us all to put sanctions and counter-sanctions behind us. But this will happen only when political circumstances allow," Georgiades indicated.
The minister added that the European Union was taking decisions on the restrictions on the basis of its own criteria.
"I do not think that the European Union is taking decisions on behalf of anyone else," the minister stressed.
In 2014, the European Union imposed political and economic sanctions on Russia over what western countries call the "annexation of Crimea" and Russia's alleged involvement in the conflict in the east of Ukraine. Russia has denied all allegations and insists that Crimea rejoined Russia voluntarily as a result of a legitimate referendum. Being slapped with numerous sanctions, Moscow introduced retaliatory measures, including a food embargo, against the bloc members and other countries.
