In a move to strengthen the fight against the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia, the European Council has decided to include flat glass products in the extended scope of sanctions on Belarus.
This decision, adopted on June 29th, aims to close a loophole that has allowed significant flows of flat glass to enter the European Union via Belarus, despite the initial ban on the import of float glass originating from Russia.
The new regulation prohibits the purchase, import, or transfer into the European Union of specific flat glass products, including float glass, surface ground or polished glass, and safety glass, if they originate in or are exported from Belarus. This measure is a direct response to the concerns raised by Glass for Europe, the industry association, which had alerted the European institutions to this issue in July 2023.
The package of sanctions also includes provisions to allow EU operators to claim compensation for damages caused by Belarusian individuals and companies due to sanctions implementation and expropriation, provided that the member state national or company concerned does not have effective access to remedies, such as under a relevant bilateral investment treaty.
Furthermore, the regulation requires EU exporters to insert a ‘no-Belarus clause’ in their future contracts, which contractually prohibits the re-exportation to Belarus or the re-exportation for use in Belarus of sensitive goods. This measure aims to strengthen the effectiveness of the sanctions and prevent the circumvention of the restrictions.
The decision by the European Council demonstrates a proactive and comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of sanctions evasion. By targeting the import of flat glass from Belarus, the EU is closing a critical loophole and sending a clear message that it will not tolerate attempts to undermine the sanctions regime imposed on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
This move is a testament to the EU’s commitment to the integrity of its sanctions policy and its determination to ensure the effectiveness of the measures taken to hold Russia accountable for its actions. As the conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve, the EU’s willingness to adapt and strengthen its sanctions framework will be crucial in maintaining pressure on the Russian regime and supporting the Ukrainian people.
Source: European Union with additional information added by GlassBalkan
