Minister Pusić comments on FAC conclusions

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Integration Vesna Pusić confirmed after the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council that the existing sanctions against Russia would be extended by six months

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Integration Vesna Pusić confirmed after the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council that the existing sanctions against Russia would be extended by six months.

The sanctions imposed against Russia and pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine will remain in place until September, while the European Commission and the European External Action Service were tasked with preparing new entries to the expanded list in the next seven days, Pusić said, adding that the FAC would decide on it at its next meeting.  

Pusić reiterated that the sanctions are not an end in itself, but are means to go from war conflicts and low-intensity conflicts to solutions through negotiations as well as to the implementation of the Minsk agreement. If the situation de-escalates and the agreement is enforced, the sanctions could be alleviated. On the other hand, if the situation deteriorate, further sanctions could follow, said Pusić.

Asked to comment on the position of the new Greek foreign minister, Pusić said that the conclusions had been reached by consensus, which meant that Greece was also in favour. 

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