The EU has decided to impose heavy sanctions on this pro-Russian European country because of concerns about its "illegal" actions.

The Council of the European Union (EU) officially adopted restrictive measures targeting the Belarusian economy on June 29, citing the regime's involvement in Russia's special military campaign against Ukraine, a statement from the Council said.

The EU has decided to impose heavy sanctions on this pro-Russian European country due to concerns about its 'illegal' actions. (Source: Kpmg)

New sanctions just announced by the EU "directly" hit the Belarusian economy for supporting Russia.

“These comprehensive measures are intended to reflect some of the restrictions already imposed on Russia and thereby address the problem of circumvention – arising from the high level of integration that exists between the two allied economies of Russia and Belarus,” the statement said.

The EU Council said that the agreed measures will affect various sectors of the Belarusian economy. And that the EU is expanding the export ban on advanced/dual-use goods and technologies, as well as introducing further export restrictions on goods that could contribute to increasing Belarus' industrial capacity.

Further restrictions are also imposed on the export of maritime goods and technology, as well as luxury goods to Belarus.

Regarding imports, it will be prohibited to directly or indirectly import, purchase or transfer gold and diamonds from Belarus, as well as helium gas, coal and mineral products, including crude oil.

The next round of sanctions will be supplemented by a new export ban on goods and technology suitable for use in the petroleum refining and natural gas liquefaction industries.

The Council orders a ban on the provision of certain services to Belarus, to entities from the government, public authorities, corporations or agencies of the country and to any individual or legal entity on their behalf or at their direction; including accounting services, auditing services, statutory audit, bookkeeping services, tax advisory services, business and management consulting services, as well as public relations services.

The EU Council is extending the ban on the road transport of goods within the EU by trailers and semi-trailers registered in Belarus, including when transported by trucks registered outside Belarus.

To minimise the risk of circumvention, EU operators owned by 25% or more of Belarusian natural or legal persons should be prohibited from becoming road transport companies or transporting goods by road within the Union, including in transit.

The decision of 29 June requires EU exporters to include in their futures contracts a so-called 'Belarus prohibition clause', which prohibits the re-export to Belarus or the re-export for use in Belarus of sensitive goods and technologies, battlefield-related goods, weapons and ammunition.

Also to reduce the risk of fraud, the EU will prohibit the transit through the territory of Belarus of dual-use goods and technologies, goods and technologies that could contribute to enhancing Belarus' military and technological capabilities or developing its defense and security sector; goods that could contribute to enhancing Belarus' industrial capabilities, products and technologies for use in the aviation or space industry, as well as arms exports from the EU.

Additionally, to help combat the re-export of war goods found in Ukraine or critical to the development of Russian military systems, it was decided that EU operators selling such war goods to third countries will need to implement due diligence mechanisms capable of identifying and assessing the risks of re-export to Russia and mitigating those risks.

EU parent companies will be required to make best efforts to ensure that their third country subsidiaries do not engage in any activities that lead to the outcomes that the sanctions are intended to prevent.

This latest sanctions package also includes measures allowing EU operators to claim compensation for damage caused by Belarusian individuals and companies as a result of the implementation of sanctions and expropriation, provided that the Member State or company concerned does not have effective access to remedies, for example, under the relevant bilateral investment treaty.

The relevant legal texts will be published in the EU Official Journal on June 30, the EU Council statement said.

Earlier, on June 28, the Council decided to impose restrictive measures against two individuals and four entities for their responsibility for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Accordingly, the sanctioned individuals will have their assets frozen, while EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with funding. In addition, natural persons will be subject to a travel ban, and will be prevented from entering or transiting through EU territories.

EU restrictive measures against entities allegedly linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict currently apply to more than 2,200 individuals and entities.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/eu-quyet-trung-phat-thang-tay-voi-quoc-gia-chau-au-than-nga-nay-vi-lo-ngai-cac-hanh-dong-lach-luat-277019.html