France’s National Assembly Votes to Lift Russian Sanctions

PRESS RELEASE

France’s National Assembly Votes To Lift Russian Sanctions

April 28, 2016 (EIRNS)—France’s National Assembly voted yesterday for a non-binding resolution against extending the European Union's economic sanctions against Moscow, which were imposed after the coup against the elected Ukraine government.

A total of 101 lawmakers in France’s lower legislative chamber voted: 55 in favor of the resolution to lift the sanctions; 44 against, and two abstentions, Sputnik News reported today.

"It is a miracle and a great victory," Nicolas Dhuicq, a member of the French National Assembly’s Defense Commission told Sputnik.

The resolution, calling on the French government to protest extension of EU sanctions against Russia, was submitted by 85 French Members of Parliament. Thierry Mariani, a member of the center-right Republican party, who initiated the parliamentary debate, says the document "calls on the French government not to extend the restrictive measures and economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union."

Mariani said this is the first time a debate on canceling sanctions has been held at the National Assembly, RT reported.

"We are demanding that the sanctions be lifted because they are totally ineffective, and they are dangerous for our economy,"

Mariani told the Assembly.

"I have seen our Minister of Agriculture standing in front of our farmers and saying, ‘We have to lift the sanctions.’ I’ve seen the Minister of Finance reiterate the same thing. And all they do is say ‘We can’t do anything; Europe is to blame,’"

the MP told RT, saying that while he is "part of the opposition," regarding this matter he wants "to help the government."

"France is constantly saying that it’s the birthplace of human rights; that the people’s will should always be respected. So now I’m waiting for France to accept the will of the parliament and demand the lifting of the sanctions during the next talks,"

Mariani said after the vote. The next EU meeting where lifting the sanctions could be voted on is June 23, 2016.