Brussels, 31/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - The new European Union sanctions regime towards the Taliban and Al-Qaeda took effect on Thursday. Proposed by the European Commission in March, on the basis of new United Nations resolutions, the common position adapting the sanctions to the changes in the Afghan regime was approved by the Council on Monday. The regulation abolishes sanctions on Afghanistan as such, as well as the embargo on certain chemical products and the ban on flights. It does, however, amend and strengthen sanctions on people and entities linked to Ossama ben Laden, the Al-Qaeda network and the Taliban. The freeze on assets will be much more stringent, including all "economic interests": and no longer only capital and financial funds. The text also stipulate that it is prohibited to supply these networks with weapons, any connected equipment and any advice or assistance to do with military activities. In its annex, the regulation lists the people, groups and entities targeted.