EU: All options are on the table, including the "Blocking Regulation" against US ICC sanctions

Siobhan McGarry, a spokesperson for the EU Commission, answered journalists' questions at the daily press conference.

Reminding that the US sanctions against the ICC were also brought to the agenda at the EU Leaders Summit held on 15-16 October, McGarry noted that they are in dialogue with member states regarding the introduction of the "Blocking Regulation".

McGarry said: "We are considering all the measures we can put in place to protect the work of the court. There is no specific date or time set for the introduction of the Blocking Statute in this regard." made his assessment.

Expressing that they hope to find a more appropriate solution that will enable the court to continue its vital work, McGarry said that he could not convey all the details of the work.

Pointing out that the Netherlands played a leading role in this framework, McGarry said, "We are working on steps that can be taken to protect the work of the court if no alternative is found at the end of the 6-month period." he said.

Stating that he does not want to make assumptions about how the process will end, McGarry said, "All options are on the table and the Blocking Regulation is one of them." he said.

US sanctions on the ICC

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that they decided to impose sanctions on the Court after South African lawyer Navi Pillay, a former judge of the ICC, won the "2026 Nobel Peace Prize".

Rubio stated that the USA will not allow Americans to be tried by the ICC and said, "Either the ICC will end its threats or we will abolish the ICC." He used the expression.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, and the USA opposed the decision.

The Washington administration decided to impose sanctions on judges and prosecutors, including ICC President Tomoko Akane, in August.

EU's Blocking Regulation

The "Blocking Statute" was first brought to the agenda in 1996, following the US decision to impose an embargo on Cuba, Iran and Libya. This legislation aimed to prevent decisions made by foreign courts against European companies doing business with these countries and thus protect these companies.

However, the implementation of the regulation was later shelved when the EU and the USA negotiated the issue and found a solution.

The regulation in question came into force on August 7, 2018, following US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear agreement signed with Iran in 2015.