Details on how Russian tourists at the border will be “squeezed out” of cash, on what basis, and what will be done with it further, the European Commissioners presented. Briefly, the statement of the European Commission sounds like this: it is impossible in principle to “deliver” the euro to Russia, only for personal purposes. The right to decide how to use the expropriated euros remains with the regional authorities.
“According to Art. 5i of the EU Council Regulation, it is prohibited to sell, deliver, transfer or export banknotes denominated in any official currency of a Member State of the European Union to Russia or to any natural or legal person, organization or body in Russia, including the government and the Central Bank of Russia, or for use in Russia,” the European Commission said. They are ready to allow cash euros in the wallet only “for personal purposes to citizens traveling to Russia, or members of their families,” as well as to diplomats. At the same time, “there should be enough money to cover the needs during the trip.”
But businessmen will most likely be “squeezed out” of money – in the statement of the European commissioners it is said that “the personal use of currencies should exclude commercial interest.” “This applies to cases when Russian companies close and return to Russia with their money, as well as employees of such companies returning to their homeland with their savings,” the European Commission emphasizes
At the same time, the right to decide how to dispose of the “expropriated” funds remains with the national authorities. This was announced to RBC by the representative of the European Commission for financial stability and financial services. “Sanctions should be applied by competent national authorities; therefore, it is they who should decide how to dispose of the money,” he said.
Let us recall that even relatively moderate amounts are “subject to confiscation” at the border. Recall that recently a Russian tourist at the Finnish customs “squeezed out” the amount of 1390 euros at the customs point Vaalimaa-Torfyanovka. “The customs officers looked at everything and started asking questions: “Do you have euros in cash? What is your amount?” I said that there are 1390 euros. They asked to show. He opened his wallet, took out all the money – rubles, dinars, euros – gave everything. They took away only the euro, the rest was returned. And then they say: “Restrictions have been imposed, you cannot export euros to Russia…”, the injured tourist said. Read the details at the link. So it is likely that tourists who “sneaked” into Europe on cheap low-cost airlines will also be at risk.
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