The European Commission has registered the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), which calls on the EU to gradually phase out imports of Russian and Belarusian products.

According to the official website of the European Commission, the initiative aims to mobilize EU efforts to reduce dependence on these countries through concrete steps and regulatory measures.

The initiative proposes that the European Commission “propose decisive, immediate measures to end the EU’s import dependence on Russia and Belarus by introducing sectoral bans or a decisive, gradual phase-out.”

To that end, the organizers explain that “the aim is to stop the flow of EU funds to the Russian state, remove structural vulnerabilities in critically important supply chains, and strengthen a consistent, values-based trade policy.”

“The aim is to stop the flow of EU funds to the Russian state, remove structural vulnerabilities in critically important supply chains, and strengthen a consistent, values-based trade policy.”

– Organizers

The European Commission noted that, since the civic initiative meets the formal requirements, it is considered legally admissible.

At the same time, at this stage the European Commission has not yet analyzed the content of the proposals.

“Registration does not affect the Commission’s ultimate decision on the initiative’s substance or any potential actions it may take. The Commission will decide on the initiative only if it collects at least one million signatures from EU citizens.”

– European Commission Press Office

After official registration, organizers receive six months to kick off a 12-month period for gathering signatures. If the initiative gathers at least one million signatures and the minimum thresholds are met in at least seven EU Member States, the European Commission will consider it on its merits and make an appropriate decision.

It is also known that the European Citizens’ Initiative was established by the Lisbon Treaty as a tool for citizens to shape the EU agenda. It was officially launched in April 2012. After registration, citizens from at least seven EU countries have the opportunity to ask the European Commission to propose legal acts in areas within its powers.

For an initiative to be admissible, the proposed action must not go beyond the European Commission’s powers, must not be offensive or contrary to EU values.

To date, the European Commission has registered 126 initiatives.