EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has welcomed the decision of third countries - Montenegro, Albania, Norway and Ukraine - to join the restrictive measures that the EU has taken against Russia for violating Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.

A corresponding statement by the EU High Representative has been published on the website of the European Council.

"On 28 January 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/120 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP. The Decision amends the list of persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures as set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP by adding seven persons involved in the organisation by the Russian Federation of so-called 'local elections' on 8 September in the illegally annexed Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol in Ukraine. The Candidate Countries Montenegro and Albania, the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, align themselves with this declaration," the statement reads.

According to the statement, these countries have undertaken to bring their national policies into line with the decision approved by the Council. "The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it," the statement reads.

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