EU Updates Russia Sanctions FAQs on 'Partner Countries'
The European Commission last week released a set of updated frequently asked questions on its Russia-related sanctions, offering guidance on how it treats "partner countries" in the context of its iron and steel restrictions and export controls.
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One FAQ involves EU restrictions on importing Russian-origin iron or steel that has been processed in a third country. The EU said member states can import those metals without "evidence of the country of origin" if they were processed in certain "partner" countries, which are nations that impose "import control measures that are substantially equivalent to those of the Union." EU regulations currently list those countries as Norway, Switzerland, the U.K. and Liechtenstein.
The commission also clarified that it also extends certain "benefits" to partner countries that apply a "set of export restriction measures substantially equivalent to those set out in the Sanctions Regulation." Entities owned or controlled by "an undertaking" of those partner countries are eligible "for the same exception as those owned or controlled by an undertaking of a Member State," the FAQ said. EU member states can also authorize the "sale, supply, transfer or export of covered goods and technology, or the provision of related technical or financial assistance intended for the diplomatic representations of partner countries located in Russia," the FAQ said. The EU said it also will exchange information with partner nations to support "the effectiveness of export restrictions."
Those partner countries include the U.S., Japan, the U.K., South Korea, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland.