Brussels, 01/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 28 February, the EU member states agreed to modify the arms embargo on Syria so as to further help the national coalition for Syrian revolutionary and opposition forces in the protection of civilians. The member states have recognised this coalition as the “legitimate representative of the Syrian people”.
For three months - from 1 March until 1 June 2013 - the EU and its member states will no longer be forbidden to sell, supply or export non-lethal military equipment, or equipment which might be used for internal repression, intended for the protection of civilians, or for the coalition, “intended for the protection of civilians”. The question therefore arises as to the possibility of selling, supplying or exporting this equipment to the regime if it uses this equipment for the protection of civilians.
In addition, the sale, supply and export to the coalition of “non-combat vehicles which have been manufactured or fitted with materials to provide ballistic protection”, intended for the protection of civilians are also no longer forbidden. Lastly, the member states agreed to allow “the provision of technical assistance, brokering services and other services for the coalition intended for the protection of civilians”. The technical assistance might well include advice, the transfer of skills and training.
This decision gives legal effect to the agreement concluded at the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 February (see EUROPE 10788). At this meeting, the ministers agreed to defer the restrictive measures taken against Syria for three months, modifying them so as to provide greater non-lethal support and technical assistance for the protection of civilians. The ministers also agreed that the Council would actively continue the on-going work in order to assess and, if need be, review the sanctions regime against Syria, so as to support and aid the opposition. (CG/transl.fl)