Brussels, 23/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has just presented the Council with a draft regulation calling for the scope of restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to be enlarged. This approach follows a common position of the EU27 on the matter (2009/573/CFSP) adopted on 27 July in a follow-up to Resolution 1874 (2009) from the UN Security Council, which expands the scope of sanctions against Pyongyang.
In relation to the provisions in force since 2007, the proposal introduces additional restrictive measures concerning, in particular, the persons targeted by the freezing of assets, the activities of financial institutions which could contribute to North Korea developing weapons of mass destruction (nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, etc), financial support for trade with the country - particularly export credits -and official financial assistance. The proposal also provides for a ban on trade in goods and technology which could contribute to the country's development of nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missiles, and the inspection of certain cargoes to and from North Korea. (O.L./transl.rh)