EU companies must ensure sanctions aren't circumvented – Lithuanian vice-minister

VILNIUS – Companies in exporting EU member states, rather than state institutions, must ensure that sanctions are not circumvented, Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Simonas Satunas said at Monday's meeting of the bloc's Foreign Affairs Council (FAC).

"Effective implementation of sanctions and prevention of circumvention of sanctions requires not only legal measures in new sanction packages against Russia, but also a moral compass," the Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying in a press release. 

At the FAC meeting in Brussels, Satunas and his counterparts discussed support for Ukraine, the use of immobilized Russian assets, and the further implementation of the Ukraine peace formula, according to the press release.

"The guidelines for support to Ukraine proposed by the president of the European Commission should become a European strategy for Ukraine's victory," Satunas said. "This should expedite some very necessary decisions regarding support for Ukraine." 

The FAC also decided to launch a visa liberalization dialogue with Armenia and provide it with support under the European Peace Facility. 

The council also discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza, possibilities to support the Palestinian Authority, and preparations for a possible meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council.

At an informal meeting with Nadia Calvino, president of the European Investment Bank, officials discussed the EIB's support for Ukraine and the Middle East region, and the bank's contribution to bolstering European security and defense by facilitating the financing of European defense industry projects and arms procurement, the ministry said.