“This is a measure that is imposed on member states” which “have adopted the collective decision on sanctions and therefore it is normal for countries to have the duty to enforce this obligation which has the force of law in the EU. If the states do not do this, the general framework of infringement procedures that can be put in place by the European Commission applies. ‘
This was stated by the spokesman of the European Commission, Eric Mamer, regarding the payment of Russian gas in rubles. ‘It is the Member States that are responsible for complying with the sanctions and it is up to the national authorities to ensure that companies comply with their obligations under the sanctions adopted by the Council. It is up to the Member States to take measures to ensure that all actors respect the sanctions, ”he stressed. «What we are saying – explained Mamer – is that the companies must pay for deliveries in the currency provided for in the contract, anything that goes beyond violates the sanctions. So, if you have a contract with Gazprom for a payment in euros, you receive an invoice in rubles and you pay in rubles you are not respecting the contract ». “When you buy something, the money goes to the suppliers, what the supplier does with that money is his prerogative,” he added, referring to the conversion into rubles then carried out by the Russian central bank.
EU, gas payment in rubles: the states that do so risk the infringement procedure
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