12:48 09.05.2014

EU to expand criteria for sanctions, use them against those involved in confiscation of Ukrainian property in Crimea

1 min read

The EU foreign ministers will consider the issue of expanding criteria for the second phase of sanctions against those who are involved in the confiscation of Ukrainian property in Crimea, a high-ranking European diplomat has said on the eve of a meeting.

According to him, the issue was discussed at the level of ambassadors and was widely supported. However the foreign ministers will approve the further expansion of grounds for sanctions on May 12.

"The ministers have not approved [the issue], nothing has been decided," he stressed.

The high-ranking diplomat noted that currently the sanctions apply to "predominantly individuals who threaten or undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine."

"Therefore some states want to see if we can expand the legal framework to catch those who are involved in the confiscation [of Ukrainian property] in Crimea and take legal actions against companies or legal entities," he said, stressing that "this [what happened with Ukrainian property in Crimea] is confiscation and therefore there should be sanctions."

If the foreign ministers make the positive decision on this issue, the existing list will be expanded.

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