Prague will block EU sanctions against Israel
The Czech Republic will oppose the imposition of European sanctions against Israel and will block attempts to suspend the Association Agreement between the two parties.
This was stated by Petr Matinka, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, at a press conference with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar on May 20 in Prague, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.
“We will not agree to any further trade sanctions, nor to further attempts to suspend or restrict the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel,” Macinka said, adding that Israel is under constant pressure at EU forums.
Saar, in turn, said: “We are observing efforts by some governments in Europe to steer the EU toward a radical anti-Israel stance. They are trying to destroy European-Israeli relations, which are determined by the national positions of the respective governments.” He called the Czech government “true friends of Israel.”
Both ministers had previously opened the Czech-Israeli Business Forum, which was attended by about 150 representatives of Czech companies and over 50 Israeli ones. The main focus was on cooperation in the fields of healthcare, security, and cybersecurity.
The EU is preparing a mini-package of sanctions against Russia, with Patriarch Kirill among the possible targets.
Tighter EU sanctions could complicate Russia’s Arctic logistics operations. This specifically concerns the calls by Russian icebreakers at the Norwegian port of Honningsvåg, which have become part of Russia’s logistics routes in the Arctic. Against the backdrop of sanctions, it cannot be ruled out that Norway may cease servicing these vessels.
The EU has expandedsanctions against Russia for the abduction of Ukrainian children.
A high-level meeting dedicated to the return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia will take place in Brussels on May 11. It will be jointly hosted by the European Union, Ukraine, and Canada. During the event, participants plan to discuss specific mechanisms for returning the children to Ukraine, as well as steps to hold Russia accountable.
