Jean-Claude Juncker
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will call urgently to discuss the possible response of Brussels in the case of the adoption by Washington of a new package of anti-Russian sanctions, if they are not taken into account the interests of the European Union. This is stated in the official report prepared by the appointed on Wednesday the meeting of the EC, the Financial Times reports.
Juncker is concerned that new sanctions could affect the area of interest associated with Moscow, European energy companies. In particular, the threat hanging over the companies involved in the construction of additional submarine pipelines between Russia and Germany in the framework of the project “Northern stream-2”. In addition, under the blow could fall, organizations working in the railway, financial, shipping and mining sectors.
In the opinion of the Commissioner, the main objective of Brussels is to get public or written assurances from the White house that the United States will apply new sanctions against the EU’s interests. Among other options considered use of European legislation to recognize in the Old light anti-Russian package is invalid, and the preparation of responses to the WTO.
On 22 July, the Congress extended the draft law on new sanctions against oil and banking sectors of the Russian economy. Press Secretary of the administration of U.S. President Sarah Sanders stated that Washington endorsed the project.
The US and several other States after the annexation of Crimea to Russia and the beginning of the armed conflict in the South-East of Ukraine in 2014 have imposed sanctions against Moscow, in particular limiting investments in the Russian economy, a number of companies, the transfer of technology. In response Russia has banned imports of certain food products from countries that imposed sanctions.