EU's new sanctions package runs into "fish problem"

The European Union has dropped plans to impose an embargo on Russian fish in its latest sanctions package because of its geopolitical significance, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has announced.

During a press conference, Kallas said before she started working in this field, she didn't know fish had such geopolitical importance, Caliber.Az reports.

“Fish are really something that are hindering all important geopolitical processes," Kallas noted when asked by a journalist why fish had been excluded from the sanctions package.

According to her, EU member states put forward different measures aimed at increasing pressure on Russia, but some of them are ultimately removed from the final package.

"It is always good to come as strong, … The proposals are as strong as possible. So, we always know that some things are taken out, so eventually we still have a strong package," the EU's top diplomat added.

On July 13, Kallas said EU foreign ministers had failed to reach an agreement on the bloc's 21st package of sanctions against Russia.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov