Hungary is blocking a proposed European embargo on Russia’s oil and tough negotiations will continue between the 27 member countries of the European Union (EU) to find an agreement by the weekend, some diplomatic sources told the press on Friday. ‘AFP.
If nothing is agreed this weekend, I will have to convene an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers.EU next week, after Europe Daydeclared the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban hardened his tone on Friday morning, saying the European Commission’s proposal to ban the purchase of oil and petroleum products from Russia by the end of the year would reached in the unit ofEU.
In the beginning, we made it clear that there was a red line, similar to the energy embargo. They crossed that linehe denounced in a radio interview.
The unity of the Twenty -Seven is necessary for the enactment of the sanctions.
Negotiations between the ambassadors of the Member States were messy, said a diplomat. The first meeting ended without agreement at noon.
The most important issue is the security of supply. He is existential for Hungarya landlocked country that relies on Russian deliveries, as it needs significant technological investment to adapt its refineries to other types of crude, he explained.
A new meeting of ambassadors is scheduled for the weekend. It is held when technical consultations have sufficient progresshe pointed out.
Hungary has a problem and [les ambassadeurs] it needs to be resolved. Technical clarifications are required, and this will take some time. It will continue over the weekend for technical work, not politicsconfirmed by another diplomat.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he was confident. There are countries that have different positions in terms of oil and gas dependencehe said in an interview with Euronews.
There are discussions with the European Commission about what the transition periods could be. However, they will not block these penalties, to my knowledgedid he declare.
The proposal submitted to member states on Wednesday calls for a halt to imports of Russia’s crude oil for six months and refined products by the end of 2022.
A one -year derogation until the end of 2023 was planned for Hungary and Slovakia, but it was deemed insufficient. It was extended until the end of 2024 in the new version of the project discussed on Friday and the Czech Republic is also given this possibility, according to sources.
In 2021, Russia will provide 30% of crude and 15% of petroleum products purchased byEU. The three countries requesting the waiver are represented small percentage purchases, the Commission directed.
The inclusion of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, an explicit support for the Russian offensive, as one of the new personalities appearing on the blacklist ofEU pinaglalaban din daw.
The sixth package of sanctions against Russia also targets the financial sector excluding Russia’s largest bank, Sberkank (37% of the Russian market), and two other banking institutions from the international Swift financial system. And three Russian TV channels, including Russia 24 and Russia RTR, will be banned from broadcasting onEUaccording to the document consulted byAFP.
I am convinced that we will accept this package. If it takes another day, it will take another daysaid European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The aim is to enter into force of the sixth set of sanctions in Europe for the celebration of the 72nd day of Europe, on May 9. This date is also celebrated in Russia as the Victory day in Nazi Germany.
Source: Radio-Canada
