Six countries have joined the European Union Council's decision to extend sanctions against Russia over the occupation of Crimea for another year.

"On June 18, 2020, the Council adopted Decision 2020/850 amending Decision 2014/386/CFSP. The Council Decision extends the existing restrictive measures until June 23, 2021. The Candidate Countries Montenegro and Albania, the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and Georgia align themselves with this Council Decision," the Council said in a statement on August 24, acccording to UNIAN.

The countries will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision, it said.

"The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it," reads the statement.

The European Union first slapped sanctions against Russia on June 14, 2014. Later, they were extended each year.

The sanctions include a ban on imports of profucts originating in Crimea to EU countries, as well as that on investment in the peninsula. This means that no European or EU-registered company may buy real estate or businesses in Crimea, finance Crimean companies or supply services.

It is forbidden to provide tourist services. In particular, European cruise ships are banned from establishing contacts with all Crimean ports, except in emergencies.

Moreover, it is also prohibited to export certain goods and technologies to Crimea-based companies and use these goods and technologies in the transport industry, telecommunications, energy sector, in particular, for research, exploration and production of oil, gas, and mineral resources, as well as providing technical assistance, brokerage, construction workers and engineering services related to infrastructure in these sectors. 

25 August 2020 / 13:00