Is the Russian ship Shtandart allowed to enter French ports?

Wherever the Shtandart, the same controversy resounds. This boat, a replica of Tsar Peter the Great’s flagship in the 18th^e century, would not be allowed access to any port or lock in France, as in Europe. And this under the terms of article 3 sexies bis of the regulation of the European Union on the sanctions against Russia.

However, it is stationed in the port of La Rochelle, and regularly stops in others during maritime festivals. Last week in Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique), and from August 23 to 27, 2023 in Granville (Manche) for the Working Sails.

“Right pass”

Why such an exception in France? The #NoShtandartInEurope collective has noted that the National Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations (DNRED), an administrative service indirectly attached to the Ministry of the Economy, has issued a text that serves as a sort of “right pass”.

This unsigned text and taken from an email made public and dated January 23, 2023 is based on the fact that the maritime authorities of La Rochelle (and not of the State) have classified the Shtandart as a “vessel of traditional construction” . And therefore that it would escape the EU regulation. Yet in the latter, such a category is not mentioned.

Incompatible texts

“This DNRED text and the European regulation are strictly incompatiblesays the spokesperson for #NoShtandartInEurope, Bernard Grua. We are in a State of law, and between the text of the legislative power and that of the executive, I rely on the legislative one. It is also a European regulation, not a directive. It must therefore be applied uniformly in all countries. »

In addition, the Quai d’Orsay has spoken out, also in an email made public. An adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs judges that nothing seems to justify such an exemption. And recommends to the prefectures to “to take hold of the Shtandart in order to explain to him the prohibition to which he is exposed if he does not cease to fly the Russian flag”. Contacted on this subject, that of the Channel did not respond.