Luxembourg, 22/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 April, the EU foreign affairs ministers decided to relax certain EU sanctions linked to oil against Syria, so as to help the civil population and support the opposition. The relevant authorities in the EU member states can thus allow three types of transaction - imports of oil and oil products; export to Syria of essential technology for the oil and gas sectors including, in these contexts, the supply of financing and insurance products; and investment in the Syrian oil industry. In order to approve a transaction, the member states will have to first consult the Coalition and receive assurances that the transaction cannot circumvent EU sanctions against Syria, including the freezing of assets imposed on certain people and entities. These measures will be published in the Official Journal on 23 April and the application regulation should be presented by the European Commission this week.
The EU embargo on oil and oil product imports from Syria dates back to September 2011. On the other hand, no decision on the weapons embargo has been taken. However, Germany seems to have relaxed its position, with its foreign affairs minister, Guido Westerwelle, saying that Berlin now seems ready not to stand in opposition if one or two countries want to supply arms. He nevertheless reiterated the risk of the weapons falling into bad hands.
Ahead of the Council, the British foreign secretary, William Hague, said that the resignation the previous day of the president of the Coalition, Mohamed Moaz al-Khatib, does not change the support that the EU brings to this coalition. Concerned about this resignation, the Belgian minister, Didier Reynders, called on the Coalition to be better organised and inclusive. He also spoke of his concern about the young Europeans who leave for Syria to join the ranks of the rebel groups, some extremist. The ministers asked the European Commission how it is possible to make young people aware of the risks that exist, said the minister of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn.
Highlighting the humanitarian situation, the Swedish minister, Carl Bildt, said he wanted the United Nations Security Council to vote on a resolution calling for respect of humanitarian law - be it on the side of the regime or the opposition. In Asselborn's view, the discussions have focused strongly on humanitarian aid. He also called for respect of international law, and stressed the consequences for the region. (CG/transl.fl)