The European Parliament repeated this demand for punitive measures in December when it adopted the recommendations by Austrian Parliamentarian Hannes Swoboda on the negotiation of a new EU-Russia agreement.

FORBES: Connect

" These are anti-European and nationalist statements which are not acceptable in the Europe that we live in, " said Hannes Swoboda of the Socialist and Democrats grouping in the European Parliament.

BBC: The French elections and Europe

Socialist group leader Hannes Swoboda was speaking during a debate on 15 February 2012 ostensibly on the forthcoming summit of EU leaders, but which focused primarily on the Greek austerity measures.

BBC: MEP: Greek crisis is 'dangerous for democracy'