Europarl votes not to accept Russian foreign passports issued in Russia's new regions

BRUSSELS. Nov 25 (Interfax) - The European Parliament on Thursday approved an agreement with the EU Council, voting for the non-recognition of Russian passports issued in former Ukrainian territories, as well as in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"The European Parliament is committed to doing its utmost to continue exerting pressure on Russia through legal and political means," rapporteur on this issue and member of the European Parliament Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar said.

The decision was adopted in a 531-7 vote with 34 abstentions.

In accordance with the decision, the European Commission, following consultations with the EU member states, will have to draw up "a list of Russian travel documents, in particular passports, which should not be accepted" on the territory of the EU.

However, people who arrive in the EU fleeing the conflict area will be able to enter the EU on humanitarian grounds, the European Parliament said.

Once the decision approved by the European Parliament is endorsed by the EU Council and is published in the Official Journal of EU, it will take effect the day after publication.