Official: 11th package of EU sanctions to axe bypass strategies

BRUSSELS/BERLIN, May 10 (PRIME) -- The 11th package of sanctions against Russia will concentrate on prevention of bypassing of the restrictions that are already in force, head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

"Last Friday, the Commission adopted its proposal for the 11th sanctions package. The focus of this package is now on cracking down on circumvention. We are doing this in very close coordination with our international partners, particularly with the G7," the official said.

She did not elaborate on whether sanctions against Russian nuclear power corporation Rosatom would be introduced.

According to the Financial Times citing a draft sanctions order, Brussels plans to punish seven Chinese companies, including 3HC Semiconductors, King-Pai Technology, and Hong Kong's Sinno Electronics and Sigma Technology, allegedly continuing supplies to Russia.

According to media reports, discussion of the package are slated for Wednesday.

EUobserver reported citing a draft order that there will be no restrictions on diamond purchases by the center in Belgium's Antwerp. At the same time, the European Commission thinks that Germany should reject oil imports through the Druzhba pipeline, while Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia could continue the imports.

China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned the E.U. against the sanctions against Chinese companies. China will not leave this move without retaliation, he said.

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