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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Germany is urging the European Union to add up to four more Russian nationals and companies to the bloc's sanctions blacklist over Siemens (SIEGn.DE) gas turbines delivered to Moscow-annexed Crimea, two sources in Brussels said.

The EU has barred its firms from doing business with Crimea since the 2014 annexation, imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, and curbed cooperation with Russia in energy, arms and finance over its role in the crisis in Ukraine.

After it annexed Crimea from Kiev, Moscow threw its support behind a separatist rebellion in eastern Ukraine, which has killed more than 10,000 people and is still simmering.

The EU's blacklist comprises 150 people and 37 entities subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban. The restrictions are in place until Sept. 15.

"The regular review would normally be the moment to look at who is on the list. In the past, when there were good grounds, we've added entries to the list," an EU official said.

Siemens, trying to distance itself from the scandal, last week said it was halting deliveries of power equipment to Russian state-controlled customers and reviewing supply deals.

Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak played down the potential consequences of a halt.

"What Siemens supplies can be delivered by other companies," Novak told reporters in St Petersburg. "As for electricity generation, we ... have now learnt to produce the necessary equipment," he said, without referring to the prospect of additional sanctions.

Siemens says it has evidence that all four turbines it delivered for a project in southern Russia had been illegally moved to Crimea.

German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said on Monday the turbines were delivered to Crimea against the terms of the contract and despite high-ranking assurances from Russian officials that this would not happen.

Berlin was consulting on what consequences this "unacceptable" operation might have, she said, adding, however, that the onus was on companies to ensure they did not violate the sanctions regime.

The proposed additions to the blacklist could include Russian Energy Ministry officials and the Russian company that moved the turbines to the Black Sea peninsula, one senior diplomatic source in Brussels said.

Another source said representatives of all 28 EU member states could discuss the matter for the first time in Brussels as soon as Wednesday.

The EU needs unanimity to impose or extend any sanctions.

Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy and Cyprus are among EU states which are usually skeptical of Russia sanctions. They take the line that punitive measures have failed to force a change of course by Moscow while hurting European business.

Reuters first reported a year ago on the Siemens case, which has exposed the difficulties of imposing EU sanctions.

Additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin in St Petersburg, Gernot Heller in Berlin; Editing by Alison Williams

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Exclusive: Germany wants more EU sanctions on Russia over Siemens Crimea turbines - sources - Reuters

The EU was ready to support the process of negotiations and assist in the implementation of a plan.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini on Sunday called for swift direct talks to resolve the Gulf crisis between Qatar and its neighbours.

Mogherini's call came after she met the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, and expressed EU support for Kuwait's mediation efforts.

Mogherini called on "all the parties to enter into negotiations to agree to clear principles and a road map for a swift resolution of the crisis". She said the EU was ready to support the process of negotiations and assist in the implementation of a plan, in particular in the area of counter-terrorism.

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European Union offers all help to end Gulf crisis - Khaleej Times

Quora Questions are part of a partnership between NewsweekandQuora, through which we'll be posting relevant and interesting answers from Quora contributors throughout the week. Read more about the partnershiphere.

Answer from David McDonald, founder of The Global Millennial:

India and Europe indeed have a close relationship in regards to trade, politics, and humanitarianism. With Indias economy poised to grow approximately $7.25 - $10 trillion from now until 2030 - an average growth rate of 8 percent - there is no disputing that the cooperation between Europe and India, and for that matter, Europe and Asia, will only strengthen with time.

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History Of India - Europe Relations

The two regions have been engaged in trade for thousands of years, but to speak in modern terms, cooperation between Europe and India became a priority as early as 1993 upon the emergence of the Joint Political Statement of 1993 and the 1994 Cooperation Agreement, which took relations beyond trade and economic cooperation to meet political and various societal needs as well.

The European Union flag. President Donald Trump's possible Brussels ambassador is a controversial figure.

Summits - which have been ongoing since 2000 - are the most visible aspects of this cooperation.

As explained by theEuropean External Action Service,

There are also regular dialogues on foreign policy and security issues of common interest such as counter-terrorism, cyber-security, counter-piracy, non-proliferation and disarmament and human rights, as well as close contacts in multilateral forums and interactions in the margins of regional or international events. The EU and India moreover consult regularly on migration and mobility, trade, economic cooperation, science and technology, energy, environment and ICT.

This strong cooperation is a strong signal that these two powers are committed to not only facilitating economic growth, but also maintaining peace in their respective regions.

This partnership expanded once more in 2004 upon the establishment of the EU-India Strategic Partnership, which serves to provide annual summits where leaders can meet and discuss various diplomatic strategies. The partnership is of course, based on the shared values and principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the promotion of peace and stability.

The Partnership Today

Annual summits are still being held, the most recent being on March 30th, 2016, to which the main topics were foreign policy, security and human rights cooperation, economic cooperation and global issues such as climate change and migration and mobility.

Some highlights from this summit include:

With well over two decades of cooperation between Europe and India, there is now a growing strategic alliance emerging. And with summits being held every year - on top of meetings being held much more frequently - the level of trust and understanding between the two regions remains at a sustainable level.

This partnership is crucial for the long term sustainability and development of Eurasia. The fact that these two regions have kept close ties for this amount of time should signal that they are serious about cooperation in all aspects of their respective democracies. Ultimately, political relations between the two regions will continue to strengthen, which will in turn lead to long-term economic cooperation.

The Future Of Trade Between India And Europe; What Role Will India Play In Shaping Europes Economy?

To directly answer thisquestion - India will play a pivotal role in aiding the future development of the European Union. As previously stated, the Asian service-oriented power is poised to maintain annual GDP growth of 8% up to 2030, which would propel India into the second place position for worlds largest economy.

India will continue to increase investments in infrastructure, signalling their focus on growing their exports to Asia and Europe.

Whats more is the recent statements by Indian financial supervisors stating that they plan to invest nearly $1.5 trillion into infrastructure projects within the next decade - a feat that will see India pouring nearly $100 to $200 billion into construction each year.

Given the fact that they are the service-hub of the East, this is an interesting move by Indias economic advisers. This move signals their commitment to establishing a larger manufacturing sector, which is interesting considering China - the manufacturing powerhouse of the world - lives right next door.

However, I do believe this is a smart move.

With a shift from a service-oriented economy to a more balanced economy within India, I would argue that European countries would be tempted to take advantage of the cheap labor in India and begin to outsource much of their manufacturing roles there. Countries in Eastern Europe such as Ukraine and Russia would be more likely to import from India because it could essentially shave off hundreds of kilometers off the transportation trip as opposed to importing from China, which would obviously save time and money.

For this transition to take place however, India needs to maintain political stability within their boundaries as well as with Europe - which I do not see being even a slight issue - as well as maintain technological development to stay competitive, and secure long-term trading partners with Western countries. Also, India has had armed conflict with Pakistan and with China and there is always the small chance that hostilities escalate again the future. Border disputes are not fully resolved between the countries.

Does Europe Need Strong Economic Ties With India In Order To Prosper?

I wouldnt say that Europe as an entirety is going to be reliant on just one market to succeed - they are simply far too big and far too diversified to fail because of this.

However, leaders of Europe realize the economic potential that India provides and they are going to do everything in their power to retain close ties with the Asian power.

Bilateral trade between Europe and India has more than doubled in the last decade, making the European Union Indias number one trade and investment partner. Two-way trade in goods between the EU and India reached EUR 77.3 billion in 2015, or EUR 211 million per day. If we add services, total trade now exceeds EUR 100 billion/year, or EUR 275 million per day!

Furthermore, the European Union is also India's most important source of Foreign Direct Investment, with almost EUR 5 billion of EU outward investment to India in 2014. Investment from India destined for the EU was over EUR 1 billion.

The EU and India hope to increase their trade in both goods and services - as well as investment - through the negotiations for a free trade agreement (better known as Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement BTIA) that they launched in 2007.

The building blocks for a century of Eurasian economic growth are being laid as we speak. Numerous trade agreements, infrastructure projects, investment pool banks, and bilateral partnerships are emerging throughout this region and this all points to the notion that: The 21st century will be Asias for the taking; Europe is just along for the ride.

Is the future of EU's economy anyhow dependent on its relationship with India? originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:

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Quora: How Entwined Are the European Union and India? - Newsweek

Polands Senate has approved a controversial measure that would allow the government to replace every member of the nations supreme court with people of its choice. The move puts it on a collision course with the European Union that says the bill threatens the independence of the judiciary and the blocs values.

The EU threatened Poland with the unprecedented step of sanctioning it with Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, a move that would suspend Warsaws voting rights within the bloc. But the threat by the EUs first vice president, Frans Timmermans, notwithstanding, any move to use Article 7 must be unanimousand thats not likely given that Hungary, Polands Visegrad ally, has threatened to veto any such action.

The Senates 55-23 vote came in the early hours of Saturday after 16 hours of contentious debate. The vote came two days after the Sejm, Polands lower house of parliament, approved the measure. President Andzrej Duda, who normally supports the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS), must then sign the bill into law. He has 21 days to do so. A spokesman for the president said Duda saw flaws in the measure, but declined to say whether he would sign it or seek the opinion of the countrys constitutional court.

Duda had said hell approve the measure only if an additional amendment is passed. Under that amendment, the number of votes needed to appoint the judges would be raised to a three-fifths parliamentary majoritya move that could make it more difficult for PiS, or any future government, to force judicial changes. The measure does include that amendment, but its critics say it doesnt go far enough to ensure judicial independence. The U.S. State Department said it was concerned by the measure.

The legislation prompted massive protests, including this week after the Sejms vote. It was one of the largest protests in Warsaw since PiS came to power in late 2015. The demonstrations continued into early Friday. Protesters carried both Polish and EU flags, and chanted against the government.

At issue is the composition of Polands supreme court. At present, the courts 83 judges appoint other judges, too, a process that critics say takes too much time and is rife with potential conflicts of interest. The court has the authority to determine the legality of elections and referenda, and to rule on the validity of laws. PiS and its supporters say the courts judges are elitists and the changes are needed to make the court more accountable. Indeed, an overwhelming majority of Poles have in the past supported a judicial overhaul, citing the slow pace of the system and sometimes controversial rulings, but even political parties that support a judicial overhaul in principle say the governments effort goes too far. By stacking the court with it allies, they argue, PiS would destroy the independence of Polands judiciary and, they say, the move is a naked power grab thats in line with the government other recent actions. PiS, which was elected in 2015, has tightened its grip on the state media and NGOs. Critics of the measure say the government could use it to force changes to the courts composition and target individuals, entities, and corporations its views as an opposition. The EU is involved because the separation of powers between the executive and judiciary is enshrined as one of the blocs fundamental principles.

Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister who is now president of the European Council, wrote to Duda seeking an urgent meeting. He called the legislation a negation of European values and standards that put our reputation at risk.

Politically, they move us back in time and spacebackward and to the East, Tusk wrote.

Bogusaw Kapon, legal counsel partner at Warsaws Domaski Zakrzewski Palinka, one of the largest law firms in Poland, told The Wall Street Journal that the measure is a clear subordination of the courts by authority.

The supreme court will become a nice place for talking about nothing, and thats enough for the ruling party, Kapon said.

Businesses groups have asked Duda to veto the measure.

Still, the PiS has more than enough support to carry out its actions. It has a small majority in the Sjem, a much larger majority in the Senate, and an approval rating of between 35 and 40 percent (as opposed to 22 to 25 percent for its rivals). The reason for its popularity, Reuters notes, is because of its spending on social programs, coupled with record low unemployment and strong economic growth.

Its brand of patriotic rhetoric infused with Catholic piety resonates strongly with many Poles who feel frustrated by a gap in standards of living with the West, nearly three decades after the collapse of communism, Reuters says.

For the EU, watching Poland go the way of Hungary has been startling. It may begin infringement procedures against Poland as early as next weeka process that could take years. For the EU, the promise of the era following the collapse of the Berlin Wall was fulfilled when Poland and other Eastern bloc countries joined the EU in 2004. More than a decade later, that initial promise is, in the EUs view, imperiled.

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Poland: The EU's Next Big Test - The Atlantic

Germanys foreign minister penned a memo to Turks defending his governments actions, the latest move in a diplomatic feud between the countries that also saw Germany getting support from the European Union.

Sigmar Gabriel published an open letter to German Turks in both languages in Saturdays edition of the popular Bild newspaper, saying the government cant just sit idly by and has to protect its citizens after Turkeys jailing of German human rights activists and two journalists. Meanwhile, European Union Commissioner Johannes Hahn said Ankara is on a destructive course and backed Germany in an interview with the newspaper Die Welt.

Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

Your home is in Germany -- but for many of you also in Turkey, Gabriel wrote in his letter. Friendship between the Germans and Turks is a great treasure, he said. But now, respectable German citizens are being thrown in jail.

We are going to review the cooperation and especially the economic support for Turkey, said Gabriel. What you should know is: none of this is aimed at the people in Turkey and our fellow citizens with Turkish roots in Germany.

The dispute between the countries governments escalated Friday after a Turkish judge ordered the re-arrest of four human-rights campaigners from Germany. Journalists are also being held. German companies including Daimler AG, Deutsche Bank AG, Siemens AG and Volkswagen AG have exposure to Turkey with operations or manufacturing there, and the German government depends on the country to help stem the flow of migrants into Europe.

Backed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, Gabriel announced a re-orientation of Germanys Turkey policy on Thursday and issued travel warnings to Germans. EU Commissioner Hahn said Turkey is moving farther and farther away from European standards and called Germanys reaction understandable amid Turkeys arrest of human-rights activists, journalists and others under dubious pretensions.

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Munichs Sueddeutsche Zeitung reportedon Saturday that Germanys desire to halt 4.45 billion euros ($5.2 billion) in payments to Turkey under an EU program for countries aiming to join the union poses a legal challenge, in part because the transfers through 2020 are tied to negotiations about Turkeys entry into the bloc. While talks have stalled, the country is officially still a candidate for membership.

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported onSaturday that the German government is reviewing arms deals with Turkey, citing an Economy Ministry spokeswoman as saying that orders were being put up for review.

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German Minister Addresses Turks as EU Reacts to Diplomatic Spat - Bloomberg