Brussels, 14/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 May, EU foreign ministers adopted their 15th series of sanctions against the Syrian regime. Two entities and three persons - considered as being sources of funding for the regime - will have their assets frozen and a visa ban imposed on them. Sanctions will be published in the EU Official Journal on 15 May.
Ministers also reiterated their call on the Syrian authorities to “fully and immediately” comply with Kofi Annan's plan, pointing out that “a complete cessation of violence by all parties is an essential step in the full implementation of the plan”. The main responsibility for the ceasefire and successful implementation of the plan lies with the Syrian authorities, they said, adding that “acts of terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances”. They called on opposition groups to comply with the plan and to be willing to work towards a peaceful, smooth transition.
The Council also called for continued deployment of the observation mission and for its security to be ensured. Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said the presence of the observer mission, wherever it is allowed to be present, leads to a reduction of violence and repression. He argued that the EU must do all it can for the plan to function as, otherwise, the alternative will be sectarian civil war, which could be profoundly devastating for Syria and for the region as a whole. Jean Asselborn of Luxembourg stressed that the EU and its member states must invest in support for bolstering the UN mission as that is the only viable alternative if atrocities are to be brought to an end. He said: “There is no other solution”. However, Erkki Tuomioja of Finland said that, in such a big country, 300 people sent on mission is a “very small number” and has “limited effect”. “When they are there”, he said, “there is a ceasefire but, as soon as they leave, the violence starts up again”. This weekend, the mission received delivery of some 20 armoured vehicles financed by the EU. (CG/transl.jl)