Brussels, 02/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 29 April, the representatives of the EU27 at the Political and Security Committee (Cops) gave their approval to the technical preparation of a raft of sanctions against the Syrian regime of Bachar al-Assad, in response to the violent repression of demonstrations in the country. The “restrictive measures” which the experts have been asked to prepare with a view to their political approval over the next few days include an embargo on sales of arms and other instruments which may be used for internal repression, the withdrawal of the European offer to sign an association agreement, the suspension of European cooperation and aid granted directly to the Syrian government (projects benefiting the population via NGOs will be unaffected), the freezing of the assets of those responsible for the repression and a ban on the same people from entering the territory of the EU.
The list of the people targeted by the last two sanctions has yet to be drawn up.
Catherine Ashton, the high representative of the EU for foreign affairs, has welcomed the agreement in principle of the EU27. “In light of the continuing violence and in order to promote a democratic process, the EU has launched its internal procedures for an embargo on arms and equipment used for internal repression and will urgently consider further appropriate and targeted measures with the aim of achieving an immediate change of policy by the Syrian leadership. In addition, the EU will not take further steps with regard to taking forward the Association Agreement. The EU will review all aspects of its cooperation with the Syrian authorities including under the European neighbourhood policy instrument”, she stressed in a statement dated 29 April. Ashton also repeated her “grave concern” about the situation in Syria, firmly condemning “unacceptable violence against peaceful demonstrators”. Also on 29 April, the Human Rights Council of the UN in Geneva voted on a resolution calling for a mission to be sent to Syria as a matter of urgency, to investigate human rights infringements. (H.B./transl.fl)