Bulgaria cancels visit of Russian Duma president over EU sanctions
Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that a visit to Sofia by Sergey Naryshkin, president of Russia’s State Duma, that had been planned for May 6 to 8 has been cancelled because of European Union sanctions.
The Foreign Ministry said that Naryshkin was subject to restrictive measures by the EU including a ban on entry and transit in all EU member states, as well as a freezing of funds in terms of a European Council decision on March 21 in response to Russian actions in Ukraine.
The EU imposed the restrictive measures because of Russia’s actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
The March decision and the regulations implementing it are directly applicable in Bulgaria and mandatory, the Foreign Ministry said.
The EU decision is to remain in force until September 17 2014 and is subject to constant review, the statement said. The decision can be prolonged or amended if the EU decides that its objectives have not been met.