European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy, Joseph BorrellHe predicted on Tuesday that European countries will stop buying oil from Russia “long before the end of the year”.. “Hopefully, well before the end of the year,” Borrell said in an interview with EFE after attending the Central American Integration System (SICA) and Caribbean Community (SICA) foreign ministers meeting in Panama. EU.
Borrell was more skeptical, explaining that the strength of the sanction should be taken into account in the EU’s “state of each country”. “You have to understand the problems of each country. There are many dependent countries and that, for objective reasons, it is much more difficult to replace Russian oil with other sources than with other oil sources open to the sea and international traffic”. Also, according to European Commission vice-president Borrell, “what matters is the amount paid for Russian oil and the total price.” .
With regard to Hungary’s claim to agree to pay for Russian gas in rubles, as requested by Moscow, the EU High Representative was very forceful, recalling that the European Commission “clearly stated that rules must be followed and payments are made on time”. according to the signed contracts (…) and this applies to Hungary”.
With regard to the use of the European Peace Support Fund arm Ukraine He explained that the amounts they have allocated for this concept are “not over and there are many countries that do not even want it to be refunded”. You have to add to what each State is doing on its behalf that is financed by this fund, which is much more, much more,” he added. And he thought that for the time being they “haven’t exhausted[the European Peace Support Fund]but when the time comes, I’m sure the states will agree to increase it to help Ukraine”.
Latin America strongly defends EU positions
Latin America is “the part of the world that has shown itself most firmly, more than Africa, Southeast Asia, in favor of international law and the sovereignty and integrity of States,” he said. “There is only one state today that is reluctant to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” he said, referring to the position adopted by El Salvador at the Sica and Caricom meeting with the EU. Borrell ignored the stance of Nicaragua, who did not attend the meeting, and that it suffered from “one of the most oppressive regimes on the planet” for the high representative in Europe. “There is no other region in the world as a whole that is closer to our positions.” But he explained that our “positions” should not be understood as supporting Europe: “No, we support the United Nations charter.” “There are other countries and regions that are more tactical, that don’t want to make Russia an enemy, but here (in Latin America) it is very much a matter of principle,” he said.
chinese influence
Regarding China’s growing commercial stakes and influence in Latin America, Borrell said, “It’s important to understand that China is a great power that naturally wants to play this role. It has a great power that wants to continue its commercial relations with the whole world, has the capacity to do so, and attracts the attention of the rest of the world. “Do it,” he concluded.
This Tuesday, the 22 countries that make up Sica and Caricom met with Borrell in Panama to analyze the impact of the war in Ukraine on the region, such as rising fuel prices, rising core crops and food insecurity. At the meeting, foreign ministers and representatives endorsed their stance on the war and demands from Russia “immediate cessation of hostilities against Ukraine and in particular any attack on civilians and civilian targets”.
Source: Informacion
