Brussels, 31/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 31 May, the Council of the European Union officially adopted by written procedure the restrictive measures against the Syrian regime - in accordance with the agreement of the Foreign Affairs Council on 27 May (see EUROPE 10854).
These measures, which will take effect for a year from Saturday 1 June, include a number of import and export bans - such as an oil embargo and restrictions on investments, financial activities and the transport sector. In addition, 179 people linked to the repression are subject to an assets freeze and a visa ban, and 54 entities - including the Central Bank of Syria - also undergo an assets freeze.
The Council also decided to relax its banking sanctions on the coalition so as to help the Syrian people. The member states can authorise European banks to open accounts or offices in Syria. Banking operations can be permitted after consulting the coalition, and the banking operations must not circumvent the other EU sanctions (see EUROPE 10856).
Exports of weapons and material able to serve the internal repression are not part of the Council's decision as this issue has become a national competence again. (CG/transl.fl)