Commercial policy

A two-thirds majority in the UN General Assembly is needed to suspend a country. Russia is currently in the second year of its three-year mandate in the UNHRC, which consists of 47 members.

European leaders adopted a package of sanctions against Russia in 5 key areas - financial, energy, transport, export controls, a ban on financial exports and visa policy. This was said after the meeting, which lasted until late at night, said the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Russia promised today a "strong and painful" response to US sanctions announced after Moscow recognized the independence of the two self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine, AFP reported.

The European Union sees this as illegal and a violation of international law.
Restrictive measures currently in place include imports of EU products originating in Crimea or Sevastopol, as well as infrastructure or financial investments and tourist services in Crimea or Sevastopol.

Ljubljana – Slovenia has slid five spots in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking to 40th among 64 countries, with the Covid-19 pandemic perceived as the main reason as it has significantly affected the competitiveness of all regions, countries and industries.

Reuters reported that the “27” would also agree to impose sanctions on Minsk

The European Union prolonged for another year a sanctions framework for restrictive measures on persons or entities, including from Russia, whom Brussels deems as responsible for cyber-attacks, the Council of the EU said.

Washington is expected to impose sanctions on Moscow as soon as next week

The UK government has announced its decision to delay deadlines for changing border controls in relation to the import of products from the EU into the UK with six months.

In an announcement yesterday the UK government said that it has reviewed time frame originally set out for its changed trading relationship with the EU.

The current year budget is an operating not a development one, and it completely lacks the human perspective, chairwoman of the Competitiveness Initiative (INACO) Andreea Paul stated in a debate about the budget on Tuesday. "The human perspective is completely missing from this solely operating budget.