Luxembourg, 25/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 25 June, the foreign affairs ministers of the EU once again extended European sanctions against the Syrian regime. This 16th raft of sanctions targets six new companies, operating mainly in the telecommunication and banking sectors, and one person. All of these will have their assets frozen and will be given a visa ban, bringing their total number to 129 people and 49 entities. These measures will be published in the Official Journal of 26 June.
Describing himself as “satisfied” with the adoption of these measures, the French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, nonetheless stressed that he would “like to go further”, referring in particular to sanctions against a company providing telecommunications transmissions services which is believed to have “links” to the Swiss company Ericsson, and halting imports of Syrian phosphate. “If we want effective sanctions, we need to hit them in the economic portfolio”, the minister explained. “Blocking exports of phosphates, a major source of income to Syria, could, however, have negative consequences in Greece”, he added.
Condemnation of attack on Turkish aircraft
In its conclusions, the Council condemned the “unacceptable” shots fired by Syria at a Turkish military aircraft on 22 June and congratulated Turkey on its “measured and responsible reaction”. The ministers stress that this incident requires an “in-depth and urgent investigation” and calls upon Damascus to cooperate “fully” with Ankara. NATO is also due to meet this Tuesday to discuss the incident.
Amongst other things, the Council also calls for unified action on the part of the United Nations Security Council to bring greater pressure to bear, “including the adoption of global sanctions”. The ministers also stressed that the EU continues to call upon the opposition to join forces. (CG/transl.fl)