The chief diplomat of the European Union on Friday criticized the actions of the United States to sanction European companies that work on Russian pipelines.
“I am deeply concerned about the increasing use of sanctions, or the threat of sanctions, by the United States against European companies and interests,” Josep Borell, head of the EU’s foreign policy, said in a statement.
Borell was reacting to the new orientation issued by the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Michael (Mike) Richard Pompeo Pompeo attacks the media, protests monuments in human rights speech. United States Announces Sanctions on Huawei, Citing Human Rights Abuses | Pompeo ‘confident’ that foreign opponents will interfere in elections MORE On Wednesday, he said that European companies known to be working on two Russian energy projects are at risk of US sanctions.
“As a matter of principle, the European Union opposes the use of sanctions by third countries against European companies that carry out legitimate business,” said Borell. Furthermore, it considers that the extraterritorial application of sanctions is contrary to international law. European policies should be determined here in Europe, not by third countries. “
Borell urged the United States to remove the threat of sanctions to allow “open dialogue.”
“Where there are political differences, the European Union is always open to dialogue. But this cannot take place against the threat of sanctions, “said Borell.
US sanctions target Russia’s pipeline projects to Europe, Nord Stream 2 and a second line called TurkStream 2.
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline would run from Russia to Europe through the Baltic Sea. Turk Stream 2 is Russia’s project to operate a pipeline through Europe to Turkey
The United States has spoken out against Russia’s efforts to enter the European oil market as a ploy to hold Europe hostage and isolate Ukraine from the international market.
Pompeo said Wednesday that the updated sanctions guide, under the Counter Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), is a warning to companies to “get out now or risk the consequences.”
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