The EU and Taiwan held a trade and investment dialogue last week, which included talks about boosting cooperation in export controls, sanctions and foreign investment screening. The two sides also hope to “deepen their cooperation” in the semiconductor industry and want to improve market access for EU agricultural products in Taiwan, the EU said.
Russia will restrict exports of certain noble gases that are used to make chips, Reuters reported June 3. The restrictions will apply to neon and other gases until Dec. 31, the report said. Exports will be allowed only with special government permission. Russia said it hopes to increase its production capacity for the gases and to strengthen its position in the global chip supply chain, the report said.
The EU and Egypt intend to sign a deal later in June to help supply the EU with gas as it looks to move away from its dependence on Russian energy supply, according to a draft document, Bloomberg reported. The EU, Egypt and Israel are set to sign a memorandum of understanding when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visits Cairo, the statement said. The deal would involve Israeli natural gas being liquefied in Egyptian processing plants before being shipped to the EU, Bloomberg reported June 3.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, known as FINMA, will extend its restrictions on the Swiss wing of Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, until August due to "heightened international sanctions and the continuing risks for the bank's liquidity situation," FINMA announced June 1. In March, the financial regulatory agency imposed the restrictions on Sberbank, deferring the bank's obligations for deposits and banning payments and transactions. The restrictions will now carry until Aug. 2, FINMA said.
The EU and the U.K. have agreed to a coordinated ban on insuring ships carrying Russian oil, Financial Times reported May 31. The measure comes after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's statement over the EU's sixth sanctions package on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Von der Leyen touted a ban on insurance and reinsurance of Russian ships by EU companies along with a ban on 90% of Russian oil imports by the end of 2022 -- a number arrived at in a bid to appease Hungary.
The U.K. issued two General Licenses under its Russia sanctions regime, permitting certain action for charities and telecommunications services. Under the "Russia Designated Persons -- Charities and Interim Managers and trustees" license, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation permits an interim manager or trustee of a charity linked to a listed individual or entity to make payments to meet the charity's basic needs until May 30, 2023.
The U.K. and Indiana signed a trade agreement, marking Great Britain's first such agreement with an individual U.S. state, the U.K.'s Department for International Trade announced May 27. The memorandum of understanding "creates a framework to remove barriers to trade and investment," meant to offer U.K. and Indiana businesses opportunities in industries such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, the DIT said.
The U.K. amended the sanctions entries for 299 individuals and entities under its Russia sanctions regime. The updates apply to 278 individuals and 21 entities. The amendments renewed the urgent listings initially made for 96 individuals and 19 entities, while the listings for over 170 entries, including the Wagner Group and Credit Bank of Moscow, were changed from urgent to standard procedure listings.
The EU added one group and two individuals to its ISIL/Da'esh and al-Qaida sanctions regime, the European Council announced May 30. The restrictions apply to Hurras al-Din, the Syria-based affiliate of al-Qaida, its leader Faruq al-Suri and its religious leader Sami al-Aridi.
The U.K. issued a license allowing the sale of Chelsea Football Club, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries confirmed in a tweet. The club was subject to an asset freeze after owner and Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the U.K. in March related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The club was sold to a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly. Dorries also said May 26 the U.K. government is confident the integrity of the sanctions regime will be maintained throughout the sale and proceeds will be transferred to a frozen U.K. bank account belonging to Fordstam -- a holding company owned by Abramovich. The U.K. agreed to a Deed of Undertaking that would have Abramovich commit the proceeds to a charity for the purposes of helping victims of the war in Ukraine. The sale also needed the approval of the Portuguese government because Abramovich is a Portuguese passport holder. The Portuguese government gave their consent on May 26, per the Associated Press.