OREANDA-NEWS  The European Union should first of all abandon economic and energy sanctions against Russia, Fernand Kartheiser, a member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg, who took part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

"First, of course, the first thing that needs to be lifted - and this is in the common interest - is economic sanctions, energy and so on," the source said.

According to him, the current restrictions have not only failed to achieve their goals, but also damage the European economy.