Brussels, 13/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 13 October, the EU Council of Ministers decided to step up restrictive measures against Syria, by freezing the assets of one more entity that financially supports the regime. The Council has reinforced retaliatory measures “in view of the continuing repression by the Syrian regime against its population and widespread human rights violations”, a Council press release states. This decision brings to 19 the number of entities concerned by the assets freeze. According to diplomatic sources cited by AFP, the additional “entity” is the Commercial Bank of Syria. The Council's decision will be published in the EU Official Journal on Friday 14 October. Other measures may follow if the crackdown continues. “Our measures are not aimed at the Syrian people but aim to deprive the regime of financial revenues and the support base necessary to maintain the repression. The EU will consider further measures in the light of developments, to support the Syrian people as they seek to decide their country's future through peaceful and democratic means”, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton warned.
The Council has already imposed an arms embargo, banned imports of crude oil from Syria and all further investment in the Syrian oil sector, as well as any funding for the sector. The delivery of Syrian banknotes from the EU to the Central Bank of Syria has also been banned. The Council has also frozen assets and placed a visa ban on 56 individuals, responsible for the crackdown on civilians. (CG/transl.jl)