Belgium

LUXEMBOURG, September 13. /TASS/. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has dismissed a motion filed by Russian companies and banks - Sberbank, VTB, Vnesheconombank, Rosneft, Gazprom Neft and Almaz-Antey – to annul the EU’s sanctions, TASS reports from the courtroom.

"The court dismisses the action [for annulment of sanctions]," the judge announced.

Russian banks and companies, whose actions to cancel EU sanctions were dismissed by the European Court of Justice, can appeal against the court decision in two months, a court spokesperson told reporters.

BRUSSELS, September 13. /TASS/. The European Union has extended sanctions against Russia, which expire on September 15, for another six months, the EU Council press service reported on Thursday.

"The Council has prolonged the restrictive measures over actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for a further six months, until 15 March 2019," the press service said in a statement.

According to the statement, the sanctions apply to 155 persons and 44 entities.

STRASBOURG, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The members of European Parliament regret the United States "America first" policy, which has led to withdrawal from international agreements and launched trade wars, they said in a resolution adopted Wednesday.

Approved by 490 votes to 148, with 51 abstentions, the resolution affirms that the EU-U.S. relationship is a key guarantor of global stability, but that the choice of a one-sided "America first" policy has eroded relations between the two powers, and harmed the interests of both parties.

12 Sep 2018, DG: The European Commission president pledged to strengthen the EU border and a new trade agreement with Africa. Juncker pushed for strengthening the bloc's international role, as the US retreats from the world stage.

12 Sep 2018, DG: In a tense vote, a majority of EU lawmakers backed a motion that opens the door to sanctions against Hungary. Orban's government is accused of silencing independent media, targeting NGOs and removing independent judges.

Members of the European Parliament voted to censure the Hungarian government on Wednesday for eroding democracy and failing to uphold fundamental European Union values.

BRUSSELS, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Nearly one and half month after the signing of the trade truce between the European Union (EU) and the United States, the two sides finally launch their first high-profile meeting, as U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer is set to land here Monday.

Reached between European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and U.S. President Donald Trump in late July, the truce has somewhat eased trade tensions between the two sides in recent weeks, but it doesn't mean they are over.

Disagreements are already obvious.

BRUSSELS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has profound disagreements with the United States on trade policy, the European Commissioner in charge of trade Cecilia Malmstrom said on Thursday.

Malmstrom made the remarks when exchanging views with members of the European Parliament during the meeting of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) in Brussels.

"We are not negotiating anything, we have a working group. We have profound disagreements with the United States on trade policy," said the trade chief.

BRUSSELS, August 15. /TASS/. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iran nuclear program continues to exist after the US ceased to be a part of it, Russia's Permanent Representative to the EU Vladimir Chizhov told journalists on Wednesday, commenting on the measures taken by the EU to protect European businesses from US sanctions.

BRUSSELS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU)'s updated Blocking Statute will enter into force Tuesday as a countermeasure to Washington's re-imposed sanctions against Iran, the European Commission announced it on its website on Monday.

The statute, introduced in 1996 in response to U.S. extra-territorial sanctions legislation, was amended on June 6 by adding within its scope the list of extra-territorial U.S. sanctions on Iran.

Brussels, Aug 6 (AP) The European Union today said that new measures are ready to take effect to protect European businesses from the impact of US sanctions on Iran.

The measures also aim to save the agreement meant to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions after the US abandoned the pact. The EU insists the deal is important for global security and is trying to keep economic and financial supply lines to Tehran open.

The EU's executive Commission said today that the "blocking statute" will take effect beginning at midnight Washington time (0400 GMT Tuesday).