Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Russia

“Nothing has changed in the reasons why the European Union has imposed restrictive measures against Russia – Russia has gravely violated international law with the annexation of Crimea and in that respect nothing has changed. And violence continues to unfold in eastern Ukraine,” Paet emphasized.

In order to achieve tangible results in resolving the situation and to protect the civilian population, Russia must immediately put a stop to any form of hostile activity at the Ukrainian border, including the flow of arms, military advisors and armed personnel into the conflict region and to withdraw its forces from the border, the Foreign Minister stressed.

The EU foreign ministers called on the EU candidate countries and other countries to not take advantage of the introduction of restrictive measures against Russia in order to exploit new trading opportunities.

Paet stated that it is important to expand the OSCE observer mission, which has provided a valuable and objective overview of the situation at the Gukovo and Donetsk and border crossings. “The regular and rapid exchange of information between Member States and the OSCE is necessary,” he added.

The Estonian Foreign Minister reiterated that the work of international humanitarian organizations must be facilitated. “Assistance must be delivered through the prescribed channels in an impartial manner and respecting humanitarian principles,” he said. “Humanitarian aid can only be delivered in agreement with the Ukrainian authorities.”

Paet stated that the EU foreign ministers emphasized the need to continue the investigation of the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines plane MH17. “All those responsible for the downing of the plane must be brought to justice," the Estonian Foreign Minister said.

The foreign ministers also spoke about the progress of negotiations regarding the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and on the topic of supplying gas to Ukraine.

At the extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, the foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Iraq and in Libya, as well as the Middle East peace process; particularly the situation in Gaza.