French Assembly adopts resolution calling to end anti-Russian sanctions imposed by EU
French MPs have voted in favor of a resolution to lift the EU-imposed sanctions initially slapped on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine and the reunification with Crimea. The document is non-binding.
Fifty-five members of the French National Assembly have supported the resolution calling on the government not to extend the sanctions imposed on Russia by the EU. Forty-four voted against and two abstained. Of the 577 deputies in the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament, 101 took part in the vote.
The resolution, calling on the French government to protest extension of EU sanctions against Russia, was submitted by 85 French MPs.
Thierry Mariani, member of the center-right Republicans party who initiated the parliamentary debate, says the document "calls on the French government not to extend the restrictive measures and economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union."
The debate on canceling sanctions was held at the National Assembly for the first time, the politician said. Mariani stressed that anti-Russian sanctions should be lifted because they only cause harm.
"Useless and ineffective sanctions against Russia have today become a heavy burden for French agriculture. That's why I urge members of the parliamentary majority to show responsibility and independence in this issue," he told TASS.
Earlier this year, France’s Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs Emmanuel Macron said that by this summer France will assist in lifting Western-imposed sanctions on Russia.
In December last year, the European Union prolonged its sanctions against Russia – originally initiated in August of 2014 – for another six months.
An increasing number of European politicians have become more skeptical about the sanctions, pointing out that they have proven to be politically ineffective and economically harmful for both Russia and European countries. Italy initially delayed the decision to prolong anti-Russian measures, demanding the issue be discussed rather than merely rubber-stamped.
EU sanctions against Russia were first introduced in July 2014 for one year, and were later extended over the crisis in Ukraine and the reunification with Crimea.
The sanctions included imposing restrictions on lending to major Russian state-owned banks, and defense and oil companies. In addition, Brussels imposed restrictions on the supply of weapons and military equipment to Russia, as well as military technology, dual-use technologies, hi-tech equipment and technology for oil production.
Russia responded by imposing an embargo on agricultural produce, food and raw materials against countries that joined the anti-Russian sanctions. Imports of beef, pork, poultry meat, fish, cheese, milk, vegetables and fruit were banned. Moscow also launched a policy of import substitution.
A number of EU states, including Greece, will support the removal of the anti-Russian sanctions at a June EU summit, although Athens will not use its veto power if a decision to prolong the sanctions is taken, opting instead to act in a different way, a diplomatic source in Athens told RIA Novosti.
ATHENS (Sputnik) — According to the source, Italy, France, Germany and Austria support the removal of the sanctions against Russia and believe it is worth doing so now and not waiting for the results of the presidential elections in the United States.
"There will be no veto. Greece will try to act in a different way… We will look at the atmosphere and spirit of the summit and how other countries act and Greece will proceed from these things," the source said, commenting on a scenario where the European Union decides to prolong the anti-Russia sanctions.
According to the source, many countries in the European Union have connected the removal of sanctions with the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, however, this mood is changing and member states have started to realize that it is Kiev who should implement the deal.
"Kiev has been put under pressure regarding this issue and, in our opinion, it must be increased," the diplomat added.
Relations between Russia and the West declined with the early 2014 Crimean referendum to join Russia and the Ukrainian military offensive against pro-independence militia in the eastern region of Donbas.
Washington and Brussels imposed sanctions against Russian individuals and the Russian defense, energy and banking sectors in July 2014. Russia responded by introducing a year-long food embargo on imports from the United States, the European Union and other countries that targeted Russia, subsequently extending the current embargo until August 5, 2016.
The EU leaders summit is scheduled for June 28-29. Extending the EU economic sanctions against Russia, which are due to expire in July, is likely to be on the summit's agenda.
