EU Countries Agree To Restrict Movement Of Russian Diplomats In Schengen Zone
- 1,740
Hungary has lifted its veto.
European Union countries have agreed to restrict the free movement of Russian diplomats within the association as part of the 19th package of sanctions, two knowledgeable sources told Financial Times (FT). Hungary, the last country to oppose the proposal, has lifted its veto, they said. Under the initiative, which was originally put forward by the Czech Republic, Russian diplomats working in EU capitals would be required to inform other governments of their travel plans before crossing borders.
The measure was approved as a response to the increased number of sabotage attempts, which European intelligence agencies say are often carried out by Russian spies operating under diplomatic cover. "They (spies. - TMT) are in one place but work in another. The host country's intelligence services know what they are up to, but if they cross the border, it may be more difficult for that country to follow them," a senior EU diplomat explained, citing intelligence data.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said the EU should "strictly observe the principle of reciprocity when issuing short-term diplomatic visas in accordance with the Vienna Convention." "There is no Schengen for Russia, so it makes no sense that a Russian diplomat accredited in Spain can come to Prague whenever he wants," Lipavsky said. Prior to that, the Czech Republic had repeatedly called for restricting the movement of Russian diplomats within the EU. On September 30, Prague banned entry to the Czech Republic for diplomats from Russia and holders of service passports who are not accredited directly in the country.
The FT notes that the adoption of the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia may be complicated by disagreements over Austria's proposal to include lifting sanctions on billionaire Oleg Deripaska's former assets to compensate Raiffeisen Bank International for a €2 billion recovery the bank had to pay under a court ruling in Russia. According to the FT, at a summit last week, about a dozen EU countries said they could not support the sanctions package if it included Vienna's proposal. The next talks on the issue will be held on October 8.
Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims
You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com
