EU condemns Russia's decision to restrict operations of European media in its territory

BRUSSELS. June 26 (Interfax) - High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell on Wednesday published a statement denouncing Russia's decision to impose restrictions on dozens European media outlets on its territory.

"The EU condemns the totally unfounded decision by the Russian authorities to block access to over eighty European media in Russia," Borrell's statement says.

"The banned European media work according to journalistic principles and standards," he said.

Broadcasts by a number of Russian media outlets in the EU "have been suspended because these outlets are under the control of the Russian authorities" and "do not represent a free and independent media," he said.

While asked by journalists to comment on Russia's decision to restrict access to European media outlets at a press briefing in Brussels, Borrell's spokesperson Peter Stano said the EU initially planned to issue a statement on behalf of all of its 27 member states, but one country did not support the idea.

"We tried to issue a statement of 27 member states, which was not agreed by one specific member state. But the statement of High Representative [Josep] Borrell [was] supported by 26 member states," Stano said.

Euronews reported that Hungary was the country that refused to agree the statement.

The Council of the EU has decided to block access in the EU to reports by a number of Russian media outlets and the Voice of Europe news website registered in the EU starting June 25.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Russia would reciprocate by restricting broadcasts of and access to over 80 European media outlets on Russian territory.