Brussels, 06/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 6 March, the Council of the EU decided to strengthen sanctions against supporters of the Syrian regime due to the continued deterioration of the situation in the country.
A further seven people and six entities providing support to the Syrian regime will be subject to a travel ban and assets freeze in the EU as of 7 March. The list of Syrian people and entities targeted by the sanctions has now risen to a total of 218 people and 69 entities. The reason for this is the violent repression exercised against the civilian population in Syria. In December 2014, the European Council brandished the threat of further sanctions against the regime should the repression continue. In the EU's view, a sustainable solution to the conflict can only come from a Syrian-led political process that leads to a transition. The EU continues to urge all efforts for this end. The legal acts on the sanctions will be published in the Official Journal on Saturday 7 March. (Lionel Changeur)