Brussels, 23/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday of last week, the European Union reached political agreement on the addition of a further 20 Syrian individuals or entities to the list of those targeted by the EU asset freeze and travel ban. The list containing their names will be published in the Official Journal of Wednesday 24 August.
In a press release issued on 18 August, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton condemned the intensification of the repression by the Syrian regime. “The escalation of the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters and the intensifying large-scale use of indiscriminate military force have shown the complete loss of the Syrian regime's legitimacy, and the necessity for Bashar al-Assad to step aside”, she stated. Apart from the additional asset freezing and visa ban measures, Ashton said that proposals are now being prepared for an embargo on the import of Syrian crude oil into the European Union, for suspending the technical assistance of the European Investment Bank and for imposing an asset freeze and travel ban on those benefiting from or supporting the regime's policies. These were to be examined by the Council on Tuesday. (O.L./transl.rt)