EU Supports Idea of Global Mechanism Protecting Human Rights - Spokesperson

00:16 GMT, 20 November 2018

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) - Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok has said that a new EU mechanism of sanctions against human rights violations would be discussed during the meeting of EU government officials, set to be held in the Hague on Tuesday.

Sputnik

The European Union supports the Dutch government's initiative, a EU spokesperson told Sputnik late on Monday.

"We welcome the initiative taken by the Netherlands to organize an expert seminar 'Towards and EU global human rights sanctions regime' on 20 of November. Experts from the European External Actions service will attend the workshop," the spokesperson said.

New Czech FM Wants to Combine Trade Diplomacy, Human Rights Protection

6 November 2018, 02:46 GMT

The spokesperson added that the idea of a EU global regime of sanctions against human rights violations merited "careful reflection, given its importance and complexity."

"Tomorrow’s meeting will provide a good opportunity for experts to discuss this issue… Let me also remind you that the introduction of new sanctions is for EU member states to determine and unanimously agree on in the Council," the spokesperson added.

Blok believes that following talks in the Hague, the sanctions regime could be included into the agenda of the next meeting of EU foreign ministers, which will be held in Brussels on December 10.