MOSCOW, June 19 (RAPSI) – The European Union has extended sanctions against Russia until June 23 of 2018, a statement from the organization reads on Monday.

The restrictive measures imposed by the European Union are related to reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with Russia, 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.

These sanctions were first imposed in March 2014 and was repeatedly extended.  Last time the restrictive measures were extended on June 17, 2016.