L 786 Official Journal of the European Union 17.3.2014 REGULATIONS COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) No 269/2014 of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 215 thereof, Having regard to Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine ('), Having regard to the joint proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and of the European Commission, Whereas: (1) On 6 March 2014, the Heads of State or Government of the Union’s Member States strongly condemned the unprovoked violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and terri- torial integrity by the Russian Federation and called on the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its armed forces to the areas of their permanent stationing, in accordance with the relevant agreements. They called on the Russian Federation to enable immediate access for international monitors. The Heads of State or Government considered that the decision by the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to hold a referendum on the future status of the territory is contrary to the Ukrainian Constitution and therefore illegal. The Heads of State or Government decided to take actions, including those envisaged by the Council on 3 March 2014, notably to suspend bilateral talks with the Russian Federation on visa matters as well as talks with the Russian Federation on a comprehensive new Agreement which would replace the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The Heads of State or Government underlined that the solution to the crisis should be found through negoti- ations between the Governments of Ukraine and of the Russian Federation, including through potential multi- (1) See page 16 of the Official Journal. lateral mechanisms, and that in the absence of results within a limited timeframe the Union will decide on additional measures, such as travel bans, asset freezes and the cancellation of the EU-Russia summit. On 17 March 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/145/CESP providing for travel restrictions and for the freezing of funds and economic resources of certain persons responsible for actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inde- pendence of Ukraine, including actions on the future status of any part of the territory which are contrary to the Ukrainian Constitution, and natural or legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them. Those natural or legal persons, entities and bodies are listed in the Annex to that Decision. Some of those measures fall within the scope of the Treaty and, therefore, in particular with a view to ensuring their uniform application in all Member States, regulatory action at the level of the Union is necessary in order to implement them. This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and in particular the right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial and the right to the protection of personal data. This Regulation should be applied in accordance with those rights and principles. The power to amend the list in Annex I to this Regu- lation should be exercised by the Council, in view of the serious political situation in Ukraine, and to ensure consistency with the process for amending and reviewing the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP. The procedure for amending the list in Annex I to this Regulation should include providing designated natural or legal persons, entities or bodies with the grounds for listing, so as to give them an opportunity to submit observations. Where observations are submitted, or substantial new evidence is presented, the Council should review its decision in light of those observations and inform the person, entity or body concerned accord- ingly.