Press Release: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on closure of the regional offices of the British Council in Russian Federation

The EU is very concerned at Russia's continued demand to close the regional offices of the British Council in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, and recalls its statement of 21 December 2007 on this issue. The EU deeply regrets in particular the harassment of British Council staff, as well as the administrative and other measures announced by the Russian authorities.