BRUSSELS, July 26 (RIA Novosti) – The European Commission has adopted legislative proposals on sectoral sanctions against Russia amid the crisis in Ukraine, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said in a statement.
"Having been mandated to prepare a package of restrictive measures in the light of Russia's role in destabilizing and escalating the situation in Ukraine, the European Commission tabled today a legislative proposal building on the package of targeted measures presented to Member States by the Commission and the EEAS earlier this week,” the document said.
Barroso said the final decision now lies with the EU member states. “I believe that this is an effective, well-targeted and balanced package providing the flexibility to adjust our reaction to changes on the ground. I hope that Member States will agree on this package of restrictive measures next week.”
The Council's Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) is due to discuss the legislative proposals on July 29.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council requested the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) on July 22 to finalize their “preparatory work on possible targeted measures and to present proposals for taking action, including on access to capital markets, defense, dual use goods, and sensitive technologies, including in the energy sector."
The Council's Committee of Permanent Representatives held an exchange of views Thursday on the basis of this preparatory work and returned to this matter at its meeting on Friday.
The European Union on Friday extended its sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine, adding 15 individuals and 18 companies to the Russian blacklist.
Russia’s envoy to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said earlier this week that the sanctions were «a road to nowhere» and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said such actions toward Russia were a way to conceal protectionist measures in the interests of certain companies.
