Europarl suspends cooperation with Russia, restricts free access of envoy Chizhov - Schulz

10:20, 03.06.2015 1 min read

Free access of Head of the Russian Mission to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov to the European Parliament has been restricted, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said on Tuesday.

"Insofar as the Russian authorities have failed to ensure transparency in their decisions, in line with international law and legal obligations, and allow the targeted individuals the right of defense and of appeal, he (Schulz) considers that it is now justified to take appropriate measures in response," says a press release seen by Interfax.

"Consequently, pending the lifting of the blacklist, Parliament is restricting free access to Parliament to the Ambassador and one other named diplomat," it said.

Schulz noted that requests for access by members of the Duma and the Federation Council would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Besides, the Parliament's engagement with the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee would be suspended.