MOSCOW, October 16 (RAPSI) – Technopromexport, a subsidiary of Rostec state corporation, has filed a counterclaim against Siemens with the Moscow Commercial Court seeking to recognize a contract with Russian Siemens subsidiary over supply of turbines as partially invalid, RAPSI learnt in the court on Monday.

The court is reviewing a lawsuit filed by Siemens against two Technopromexport companies under same name seeking to invalidate the deal on supply of its turbines for construction of power plants in Crimea. Hearings in the case will be resumed on October 18.

On September 18, the court granted a motion filed by Russia’s subsidiary of Siemens, Siemens technologies of gas turbines, changing its status from a defendant to a co-plaintiff.

In July, Siemens asked the court to seize four turbines constructed by its subsidiaries and prohibit defendants from installing these turbines, acquired in 2015. The court dismissed this claim due to the lack of evidence.

Earlier, reliable sources told Siemens that at least two out of its four gas turbine installations provided for a project in Southern Russia were transferred to Crimea.

Siemens believes that these actions are in clear violation of the conglomerate’s distribution contracts prohibiting a client to provide equipment to the region. Siemens initiated investigation into persons responsible and filed lawsuits with the Moscow Commercial Court seeking cancellation of all additional provisions to Crimea and return of equipment to its original point of destination.

In March 2014, the European Union imposed sanctions against Russia over reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with the country, deemed “illegal annexation” by the European Council.

The measures apply to EU citizens and companies registered in the EU member states. They are prohibited to import products from Crimea or Sevastopol into the EU territory, as well as to invest in the region, in particular, to acquire real estates or finance local enterprises, and supply related services. Cruise ships of EU member states should call at the peninsula’s ports only in cases of emergency.

In a separate paragraph, the European Council’s decision prohibits to export a number of goods and technologies to regional companies or for use in the region in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors, as well as those related to the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources. The Council of the European Union has also banned the provision of all kinds of technical assistance, brokering, construction or engineering services related to infrastructure in the said sectors.

Last time, the sanctions were extended until June 23, 2018.