Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2014
34. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he put forward at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in relation to sanctions to be imposed at EU level on Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19901/14]
View answerAt the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg of 14 April, Ministers decided to expand the list of those to whom visa bans and asset freezes will apply, the so-called Phase 2 measures, and this is set out in the first paragraph of the Council Conclusions: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/142223.pdf. A decision was subsequently taken to suspend implementation of the measures against these 15 additional individuals pending developments following the adoption of the Geneva accord by Russia, Ukraine, the US and EU on 17 April. A Joint Statement agreed to by the parties in Geneva sets out steps to de-escalate tensions in eastern Ukraine including the disarming of illegal groups and the surrender of illegally-occupied buildings.
Regrettably, implementation of the agreement has been deeply disappointing to date. While Ukraine has taken steps to implement what has been agreed, Russia has not publicly called on the separatists to vacate occupied municipal buildings or lay down their weapons. It has therefore been decided to proceed with the formal listing of these individuals who are now subject to the same visa bans and asset freezes already imposed on 33 other persons. I strongly support High Representative Ashton’s call on Russia to take concrete action in support of the Geneva accord. We will continue to monitor developments closely and if necessary we will consider possible additional measures. To that end, preparatory work continues on so-called Phase Three measures so that further steps can be taken should they be required.
