Moscow Calls EU Decision On Visas For Residents Of New Russian Regions 'Segregation'
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published December 21, 2022 | 04:40 PM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st December, 2022) Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Wednesday accused the European Union of adopting inhumane sanctions and "a policy of segregation" due to a decision not to grant Schengen visas to Russian citizens living in the country's newly joined regions and Crimea.
On December 8, the Council of the European Union decided not to recognize Russia's foreign passports issued in the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, Sevastopol and Crimea, as well as the breakaway states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The decision will go into effect on Thursday, December 22.
"Such a policy of segregation is nothing more than direct interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, once again demonstrating the European Union's true hostile intentions toward our country and its citizens," Zakharova said in a statement published by the ministry.
The spokeswoman added that most EU member states refused to accept foreign passports issued to Russian citizens living in Crimea and Sevastopol even before the start of the country's special military operation in Ukraine.
"From now on, this discriminatory practice, which grossly violates international law, has become part of the legislation of the European Union and the associated states of the Schengen area � Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland," Zakharova said.
In particular, the EU's policy violates the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, certain provisions of the 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the bloc's obligations to ensure freedom of movement in accordance with the 1975 Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, according to Zakharova.
"As conceived by the authors of this policy, Russian citizens must be 'punished' for their democratic choice in favor of Russia. The inhumanity of these visa 'sanctions' is in the fact that they are introduced on a collective basis and are aimed at creating deliberately biased conditions for the consideration of visa files," the spokeswoman said.
At the same time, recent years have showed that sanctions pressure and discrimination cannot change the will of people who have made "an unambiguous and irrevocable decision to return to their homeland," Zakharova added.
"The real result of these short-sighted actions will be the further loss by the European Union of its weight in international affairs. For our part, we will continue to use all available opportunities to protect the interests of our citizens and ensure their legal rights," she said.
From September 23-27, the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions held referendums and voted for the accession to Russia. On September 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of the four regions signed agreements on the accession of the territories to the country.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
London, Frankfurt stocks hit record highs on rate-cut hopes
May 9 culprits must be brought to logical end: Hanif Abbasi
Sanchez escapes through dust and gravel for nervy Giro triumph
Balochistan Assembly passes resolution to condemn May 9 attacks
Spain govt vows to block hostile BBVA bid for rival bank
NADRA holds open court to resolve public issues in Quetta
In south Brazil, race on to deliver aid ahead of new storms
Appeals against cipher case verdict adjourned till May 15
PIPS collaborates with CfP to enhance technological, educational infrastructure
China launches new satellite
Incidents of misbehavior with patrolling officers are unacceptable: IG NH&MP
Police arrests drug supplier, recover mainpuri
More Stories From World
-
Tennis: Rome Open results - 1st update
6 hours ago -
Chad PM claims first-round win in presidential vote
7 hours ago -
Olympic torch relay completes its first day in France with arrival at Marseille's Velodrome
7 hours ago -
Nadal wants to lose fear factor after winning Rome opener
7 hours ago -
FIFA claim Club World Cup schedule 'harmonious' as legal threat looms
7 hours ago -
Pause on US weapons shipment to Israel too little too late: Rights advocates
7 hours ago
-
Chad election results to be announced ahead of schedule
8 hours ago -
UN official says Israel closure of Gaza crossings 'completely crippling' aid
8 hours ago -
London, Frankfurt stocks hit record highs on rate-cut hopes
9 hours ago -
In south Brazil, race on to deliver aid ahead of new storms
9 hours ago -
Govt intends to reform energy sector to provide electricity to consumers at cheaper rates: Ahsan Iqb ..
9 hours ago -
UN says 80,000 displaced from Gaza's Rafah city as Israeli bombardment intensifies
9 hours ago