The EU has created a mechanism for imposing sanctions against the Moldovan opposition

The European Union has developed a mechanism for imposing sanctions against representatives of the Moldovan opposition, says in a statement issued by the EU Council on Friday.

“Today, the Council adopted a new framework of targeted restrictive measures that provides the possibility of imposing sanctions against persons responsible for supporting or carrying out actions that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, as well as democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the country”, – says in the statement.

The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, stressed that future restrictive measures could also be directed against individuals who commit serious financial offenses in relation to public funds and unauthorized export of capital, as they can take control of the activities of state bodies or seriously affect them.

The sanctions will include an asset freeze and a ban on providing funds to individuals and entities, as well as a travel ban to the EU for individuals.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, on her Telegram channel, criticized the civil mission of the European Union in Moldova (EUPM Moldova) announced on April 24, which, in her opinion, will actually exercise external control. The official goal of the mission is “to increase the resilience of the country’s security sector in the field of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cybersecurity, as well as countering attempts to manipulate information.”

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean earlier said on TV8 that the authorities had drawn up a long list of people who were banned from entering the country. According to him, this list is not public, and therefore many of those who are on it learn about the ban only when they try to enter the republic. This list also includes Russian President Vladimir Putin, Rechan added.