The Council of Venice recognized the Crimea as part of Russia
The Council of Venice calls for the lifting of sanctions against Russia
The regional Council of Venice passed a resolution calling on the Italian Government to condemn the policy of the EU Council on Crimea and demand the lifting of sanctions against Russia, RIA Novosti reports. Venice also recognized the Crimea as part of Russia.
27 of the 51 members of the regional council voted in favor of the document.
The document states that due to the anti-Russian sanctions Italy lost 3.6 million Euro.
"The greatest losses have been in such places as Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and Venice; due to trade bans against Russia, there has been more than a 72% decline in exports to Russia from these very regions,” the resolution read.
According to the adopted document, the Chairman of the Regional Council of Venice and the head of the region should influence the Government and Parliament of Italy, and also the European Union on the issue of relations with Russia.
It should be noted that this body does not have the authority to put its decisions into effect as international policy as the jurisdiction of the council only covers the municipal sector.
Italian authorities have repeatedly called for the lifting of sanctions against Russia stating that the country is losing its sales market. Thus, on the 15th of April, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Paolo Gentiloni called for the lifting of sanctions against Russia, emphasizing that Rome is not refusing to comply with its obligations to its allies.
On the 13th of May, a delegation of Italian Parliamentarians arrived in Crimea for a three-day visit.