Brussels, 29/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 28 November, the member states of the European Union decided to prolong by three months the sanctions against Syria - including the arms embargo - a decision that was ratified at the Trade Council on 29 November (see other article). The prolongation applies until 1 March 2013. This decision, which requires unanimity, was taken on the proposal of the United Kingdom, supported by France. Originally, the member states were talking of a prolongation of a year.
A spokesperson from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said on 28 November that the European leaders had agreed to renew the arms embargo for three months, not 12, so as to allow the EU to envisage amendments to this embargo - in order to possibly authorise the implementation of training and the supply of non-fatal equipment such as bullet-proof vests to the Syrian rebels. The spokesperson added that this a way of firmly saying to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that no option is excluded and of underlining the real need for change.
In addition to the arms embargo, imports of Syrian oil, exports of luxury products, and trade in gold, precious metals and diamonds inter alia are forbidden with public organisms and the central bank. The Syrian central bank is also subject to sanctions. The member states have an obligation to inspect ships and aircraft if there is reason to believe that they are transporting arms, related material or material that could be used for the internal repression. The European member states cannot supply new aid or soft loans to the Syrian government. The assets of 54 entities are frozen, and the freeze on assets and the visa ban for the European territory concern 181 people. (CG/transl.fl)