Switzerland will evaluate the possibility of joining the 19th package of EU sanctions

Switzerland will decide to join the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia after weighing all foreign policy, trade and legal criteria. The official representative of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economics (SECO), Francoise Schantz, told Izvestia on October 10.

"In accordance with the Embargo Act (EmbG, SR 946.231), the federal government can use coercive measures to ensure compliance with sanctions imposed by the UN, OSCE or Switzerland's main trading partners, which serve to comply with international law, in particular respect for human rights," said Francoise Schantz.

As a member of the United Nations, Switzerland is obliged, in accordance with international law, to apply the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council, she noted.

"However, the Federal Council decides on a case-by-case basis whether Switzerland will accept the sanctions imposed by the EU in full, in part, or not at all. The decision is made after weighing foreign policy, foreign trade and legal criteria. This also applies to the upcoming 19th package of EU sanctions," concluded Schantz.

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On August 29, the head of European diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, called on EU countries to impose secondary sanctions against oil supplies from Russia, which will be similar to restrictions imposed by the United States. On September 12, it was reported that the European Union was finalizing the 19th package of sanctions against Russia. According to Callas, additional measures will be considered regarding the supply of Russian oil, tankers of the "shadow" fleet and banks.

Vladimir Demidov, an independent expert on the resources and energy market, told Izvestia on September 25 that Hungary and Slovakia will face serious challenges after the European Commission introduces customs duties on oil from Russia, since more than 30% of their supplies come from this country.

On October 8, it became known that Hungary and Slovakia are counting on postponing the adoption of the 19th package of European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia, while both countries hope to achieve concessions affecting their economic interests.

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