EU refutes report its ignored Greek objections

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European Union
European Union

The European Union denied Wednesday that it ignored Greek objections when it issued a statement raising the prospects of new sanctions against Russia.

European Union
European Union

The row is the first of several clashes expected between Brussels and Greece’s new prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, who was elected Sunday on promises to renegotiate the bailout granted to Greece by its European neighbours and the International Monetary Fund.

Tsipras has in the past also spoken out against sanctions on Russia, rejecting the use of “Cold War language.”

The EU has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia for its role in the Ukraine crisis, notably economic measures restricting Russian access to European credit markets and European exports.

On Tuesday morning, EU leaders in a joint statement tasked their foreign ministers with considering “further restrictive measures” when they meet on Thursday.

But Tsipras complained to Greek media that his country had not been consulted on the statement.

“Greece does not consent,” a statement by Tsipras’ office said on Tuesday evening, adding that the announcement from Brussels violated “proper procedure.”

A spokesman for EU President Donald Tusk, who issued the statement on behalf of the leaders, denied that Athens had been sidelined during the preparation of the text.

“We consulted everybody, as we always do, and we didn’t ignore or sidestep Greece in any way – quite to the contrary,” Preben Aamann told dpa. “We tried to find a special solution that would accommodate them.”

Greek broadcaster Skai said newly appointed Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias would bring up the issue at Thursday’s meeting in Brussels. Tsipras is also expected in the Belgian capital on February 12 for an EU summit that will touch upon the situation in Ukraine.

EU sanctions require unanimity to be implemented, so a Greek veto could block any further measures.

An EU source said it is “too early to say” if the Tsipras government is fundamentally opposed to the bloc’s approach on Russia or if the issue with the statement could be chalked up to the tumult of a government changeover.
GNA

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