EU must take a firm stand against Russian blackmail

ALDE

Reacting to news that the Russian Ambassador to Ireland has written to Irish Members of Parliament threatening to block a treaty on Irish adoptions of Russian children unless Irish parliamentarians drop a Russian-critical human rights resolution, Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE leader reacted in strong terms:

Reacting to news that the Russian Ambassador to Ireland has written to Irish Members of Parliament threatening to block a treaty on Irish adoptions of Russian children unless Irish parliamentarians drop a Russian-critical human rights resolution, Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE leader reacted in strong terms:

“Russian foreign policy once again is showing its ugly face. Blackmailing used by the Russian authorities against Ireland is unacceptable and must be met by a solid and united EU stand. The letter that the Irish Parliament received from the Russian Embassy, threatens that the passing of the Magnitsky legislation in the Dail will lead to a ban on Irish adoption of Russian children. We cannot succumb to pressure.

The European Council should not shy away from its responsibility in agreeing to an EU wide Magnitsky visa ban list. It is now also essential to have the case of Sergey Magnitsky placed on the agenda of the forthcoming EU-Russia Summit. I call on the Council and Commission Presidents and High Representative to clearly state their solidarity with the Irish Presidency in Office.”

Kristiina Ojuland (Estonian Reform Party), EP rapporteur on the Magnitsky report in the EP, described the letter of the Russian Ambassador to the Chairman of the Irish Foreign Affairs Committee as a blackmail attempt undermining democratic values:

“I am terribly disappointed that the Russian side has decided to protect the corrupt officials that were involved in Magnitsky’s death. The Magnitsky law could be a useful tool for the Kremlin to help fight the deep-rooted corruption and show respect for the universal nature of human rights.” срочный займ займ онлайн https://zp-pdl.com www.zp-pdl.com займ на карту