In view of the continued illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, the Council considers that measures should be taken to further restrict investment in Crimea and Sevastopol.

The investment prohibitions in this Decision and the restrictions on trading in goods and technology for use in certain sectors in Crimea or Sevastopol should apply to entities having their registered office, central administration or principal place of business in Crimea or Sevastopol, their subsidiaries or affiliates under their control in Crimea or Sevastopol, as well as branches and other entities operating in Crimea or Sevastopol.

In addition, trade in goods and technology for use in certain sectors in Crimea or Sevastopol should be restricted. For the purposes of this Decision, the place of use of goods and technology should be determined on the basis of an assessment of objective elements, including, but not limited to, the destination of the shipment, the postal codes of delivery, any indication on the place of consumption and documented indication by the importer. The notion of place of use should apply to goods or technology that are used continuously in Crimea or Sevastopol.

Services in the sectors of transport, telecommunications, energy or the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources, as well as services related to tourism activities in Crimea or Sevastopol, including in the maritime sector should be prohibited.

The prohibitions and restrictions in this Decision cannot be construed as prohibiting or restricting the transit through the territory of Crimea or Sevastopol performed by natural or legal persons or entities of the Union.

The prohibitions and restrictions in this Decision do not apply to the conduct of legitimate business with entities outside Crimea or Sevastopol that operate within Crimea or Sevastopol where there are no reasonable grounds to determine that the related goods or services are for use in Crimea or Sevastopol or where the related investments are not destined to enterprises or any subsidiary or affiliate under their control in Crimea or Sevastopol.

Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures.

Decision 2014/386/CFSP should be amended accordingly,