There will be a response to Russia's decision to blacklist officials from several EU member states - Rinkevics

  • 2021-05-05
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - A response to Russia's decision to blacklist several officials of European Union (EU) bodies and member states will come soon, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) emphasized after a meeting with Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides today.

He pointed out that a statement from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) was published on Friday of last week, following the announcement of Russia's decision.

"We consider this a completely unjustified step - to sanction the President of the European Parliament (EP), Vice-Presidents of the European Commission (EC) and a number of EU citizens. We have also reserved the right to respond to this step at a specific time and in a way we deem necessary," said Rinkevics, noting that these matters are being coordinated with EU colleagues.

As reported, Russia last week barred entry to eight citizens and officials of the European Union, including Maris Baltins, Director of the National Language Centre of Latvia, and Ivars Aboltins, Chair of the National Electronic Mass Media Council.

That same day, the Latvian Foreign Ministry stated that an appropriate response will follow.

"We consider this to be unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. The Foreign Service will not allow such action to pass unnoticed," the ministry said.

Latvia condemns Russia’s decision to ban entry for eight senior officials of European Union Member States and institutions to the Russian Federation.