Source: EU draft decision to prolong anti-Russian sanctions ready

BRUSSELS, Dec 14 (PRIME) -- The European authorities have completed a draft decision to prolong the economic sanctions against Russia for six more months after the expiration of the current program on December 31, 2016, a source close to the E.U. authorities told PRIME late December 11.

“All paperwork is done,” the source said.

The draft decision has not been approved yet, there have been no official discussions of the changes in measures or the term of their prolongation, he said.

According to the source, when the document is approved by the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the E.U., any E.U. country’s government will be able to authorize it.

Italy blocked the committee’s decision, which must be unanimous, last week. A meeting of the European Council to consider the issue was slated for Thursday and Friday, Italy’s Ambassador Cesare Maria Ragalini told PRIME then.

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