Hungary: new anti-Russia sanctions do not contain ban on energy supplies

At a scheduled meeting in Brussels on Monday, the EU foreign ministers agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia, which does not contain additional restrictions on energy supplies, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations of Hungary Peter Szijjarto told reporters.

"New EU sanctions against Russia have been agreed, which so far mainly concern clarification of the rules and do not contain any restrictions on the transportation of energy carriers," he said as quoted by the MIT news agency.

Szijjarto also noted that "despite the efforts of some EU member states," the new package does not include sanctions against Gazprombank.

According to him, the new sanctions against Russia provide for a ban on the purchase of gold in Russia and the supply of dual-use goods there.

He added that the seventh sanctions package will be finalized later on Monday by the permanent representatives of the EU countries.

"The plans include an embargo on the purchase of gold, tightening rules on trade in so-called dual-use goods, further restrictions on government purchases and deposit taking, as well as bans on other services, mainly related to accounting, auditing and tax advice," the minister said as quoted by the MIT agency.

Szijjarto also said that, at the suggestion of his country's government, a clause was included in the list of new sanctions that would allow Sberbank to fulfill its obligations to former Hungarian partners and clients. Caught under sanctions, Sberbank was forced to stop the work of its subsidiary in Hungary.